Stories of King Arthur

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King Arthur had hardly spoken, before a white hart ran
into the hall." (See pa^e 19.)

STORIES OF

KING ARTHUR

BY

A. L. HAYDON

With Four Coloured Plates and other
»• 2-s"- Illv-stratwns by

ARTHUR RACKHAM, A.R.W.S.

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CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED

LONDON, NEW YORK, TORONTO AND MELBOURNE

MCMX

THE NEW YORK

BUG LIBRARY

A8TOH. LENOX AND
TfLDEN FOUNDATIONS,

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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CONTENTS

PAGE

I. — OF ARTHUR'S BIRTH, AND How HE CAME INTO

HIS KINGDOM 9

II. — OP KING ARTHUR'S MARRIAGE, AND How SIR

TOR PROVED HIMSELF A WORTHY KNIGHT . 16

III. — OF Sm BEAUMAINS AND HIS QUEST . .23

IV. — OF SIR TRISTRAM OF LYONESSE AND LA BELLE

YSOLDE 31

V. — OF BALIN AND BALAN AND THE DOLOROUS

STROKE 40

VI. — OF SIR BREUNOR AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE

BLACK SHISLO , v. . . 49

VII. — OF SIR GALAHAD AND THE QUEST FOR THE

HOLY G?>,A:L . . . . . . .57

VIII. — OF SIR GALAHAD AND How HE ACHIEVED THE

QUEST OF TH>; HOLY GHAIL . . . .65

IX. — OF THE JEST OF SIR DAGONET . . . .73

X. — OF THE QUEEN'S MAYING, AND How SIR

LANCELOT RODE IN A CART . . . .79

XI. — OF THE SWORD EXCALIBUR, AND THE PASSING

OF ARTHUR . 87

LIST OF COLOURED PLATES

" KING ARTHUR HAD HARDLY SPOKEN,
BEFORE A WHITE HART RAN INTO THE
HALL" Frontispiece

"THIS KNIGHT HE SERVED AS HE HAD DONE

THE OTHER " Facing page . 29

"TRISTRAM SMITING HIM CLEAN OFF HIS

HORSE " „ 37

"BREUNOR FLUNG HIS SWORD HIGH ABOVE

HIS HEAD" „ 50

STORIES OF

KING ARTHUR

I.— OF ARTHUR'S BIRTH, AND HOW HE
CAME TO HIS KINGDOM.

MANY, many years ago in Britain, in the days when
this island was overrun by invading tribes — Picts,
Scots, Angles, Saxons and others, all at war with
one another — there lived a king named Uther
Pendragon. He was a king of the Britons, the
native people of the country who had retired
before the invaders into the wild and mountainous
parts of the west, particularly into Cornwall and
Wales. Uther had made himself greatly feared by
the other princes in the land, and had won many
great battles ; but there was so much discord
among them all that they were never at peace, and
consequently the country was in a very disturbed
state.

One day, Uther heard of a beautiful princess
in Cornwall named Igraine, and he determined
to marry her. The lady, however, was not inclined
to listen to him, whereupon the King fell ill
through grief and disappointment. He took the
matter so much to heart, indeed, that everyone
thought he would die.

10 Stories of King Arthur

At this juncture, while he was moping in his
castle, there came to him an old wizard, named
Merlin. This Merlin was some hundreds of years
old, and very wise and crafty. He was able to
change his form by means of magic, and could
make himself invisible whenever he wished. By
his cunning he knew all that was passing in King
Uther' s mind, so when he appeared he said:

" Sir king, I know full well what is thy desire,
and I promise to give it thee if thou wilt do my
bidding."

Uther readily agreed to do whatever Merlin
asked.

" It is this," said the old wizard. " When thou
makest Igraine thy queen, there shall be a son
born unto thee, and this son thou must give to me
immediately after his birth."

The King promised that this should be done,
and accordingly, through Merlin's power, he soon
after won Igraine's love and wedded her.

In due time a little son was born, who was
christened by the name of Arthur. Mindful of
his promise, Uther gave orders for the child to
be taken at once to the postern gate of the castle,
where an old man was found to be waiting. This
person was, of course, Merlin. The old wizard, who
was able to look far ahead into the future, and
knew the part that Arthur was destined to play
in the saving of his country, carried away the child
to a worthy knight called Sir Ector. Merlin gave
out that he had found Arthur on the seashore,
but he took the knight into his confidence, and
begged him to bring up the child with his own son,
Kay, which Sir Ector willingly promised to do.

How Arthur came to his Kingdom 11

Some years afterwards King TJther died, but
on his deathbed, by Merlin's counsel, he gave
command to all his barons that they should look
to his son, Arthur, as their king, and obey him
loyally. None of the barons believed that Uther
had a son, for Merlin had kept his secret well ;
so as soon as the King was dead and buried they
began quarrelling among themselves as to who
should occupy the throne. Each one wanted to be
king, and for a long time there was nothing but fight-
ing going on, to the great distress of the country.

When Arthur had grown up into a tall, lusty
youth, Merlin knew that the time had come
for him to present the Prince to the people.
He accordingly went to the Archbishop and
advised him to send messengers north and
south, calling all the great men of the kingdom
to London on Christmas Eve. For on the
next day, he said, if they prayed and besought
God earnestly, He would perhaps make known to
them by a miracle who should be the rightful
king of the realm.

The Archbishop carried out these instructions,
and at Christmas time the great cathedral
was filled with lords and knights kneeling
at prayer. Early on the morning of Christmas
Day, while the company was riding out
after mass, they saw a wondrous sight. In
the churchyard was a large square stone, white
as marble, in the middle of which was an anvil
of steel. But what attracted everybody's
attention was a splendid sword which was stuck
fast in the anvil, and round its hilt, written
in letters of gold, was this inscription :

12 Stories of King Arthur

" Whoso pulleth out this sword from this stone
and anvil is rightwise king born of all England."

Many of the lords and knights at once tried to
pull out the sword, in order to prove that they
were entitled to the kingship, but one and all
failed. Then the Archbishop said :

"The man to whom this sword belongs is not
here among us, but I doubt not that God will
make him known in good time. And this is
my counsel ; that we place ten knights in charge
of this sword and stone until he who is to be our
king shall appear."

This was done, and furthermore it was
announced that a great tournament* was to be
held in London at Easter, at which each knight
could again try his skill with sword and lance, and
prove if this adventure were for him.

Among those who at Eastertide rode into the
city to join in the jousting! were Sir EC tor, Sir
Kay, who had but recently been made a knight,
and his foster-brother Arthur. On the day when
the tournament opened, Sir Kay suddenly
discovered that he had brought no sword with
him. He was in great dismay, for the heralds
were sounding their trumpets ; but Arthur said :

"Never mind, Kay, I will ride home and fetch
your sword. I shall be back before the lists begin."

So away went young Arthur, as fast as his
horse could speed ; but on arriving at Sir Ector's
castle he found it shut up and deserted, for
everyone was at the tournament. He was vexed

* A martial sport or combat of olden times at which knights on
horseback exhibited their courage and skill in arms.

t An encounter with spears between two knights on horseback.

How Arthur came to his Kingdom 13

to think that Sir Kay should have to go without
a sword, and was about to return to the others,
when suddenly he bethought himself of the
wonderful sword in the cathedral churchyard.

" I will ride thither and get that one for Kay,"
said Arthur; and springing on his horse again he
set off for the cathedral.

When he rode into the churchyard he found,
to his delight, that it was deserted, for all the
guards, like everybody else, had gone off to the
tournament. Having tied up his horse to the stile,
Arthur ran across to the golden-lettered sword, and
with one pull drew it easily out of the stone.
Without thinking of what a marvel he had
accomplished, the youth hastened after his
foster-brother and presented him with the
sword.

Sir Kay recognised it at once as the sword from
the churchyard, and taking it to his father he
said :

" Lo, here is the sword of the stone ; wherefore
I must be king of this land ! "

Sir Ector took the two youths into the cathedral
with him and made his son tell him how the
weapon came into his possession, whereat Sir Kay
related how Arthur had ridden off and procured
it. Hearing this, Sir Ector fell on his knee before
Arthur and did homage to him, hailing him as
king. Sir Kay, at his bidding, also did the same.

To make certain that Arthur was the one for
whom the sword was destined, Sir Ector took them
once again into the churchyard, where he put
the sword back into the anvil. The good knight
and Sir Kay then tried several times to draw it out

Stories of King Arthur

but in vain ; the weapon held fast. Arthur then
took hold of the handle, and without any effort
pulled out the sword. Sir Ector now knew beyond
all doubt that Arthur was the rightful king of
England, and once more kneeling before him, he
told the young Prince the whole story of his birth.
Arthur was sorry to learn that Sir Ector was not
his real father, for the good knight and his wife
had been very kind to him, but he promised that if
he were indeed made king he would reward them
for their services. Sir Kay, he said, he would make
seneschal* of all his land.

The next thing to be done was to tell the
Archbishop of all that had happened, and very
astonished was he at Sir Ector's tale. In due
course, when Twelfth Day came, all the barons and
knights, with a large number of the common
people, assembled before the stone. One after
another they tried again to pull out the sword
from the anvil, but one and all they again failed.
Then Arthur stepped forward, and grasping the
sword drew it forth as easily as he had done before.

The barons were highly indignant at such a boy
as Arthur achieving the task, but the common
people knelt before him and shouted : " Arthur is
our king ; it is the will of God."

The Archbishop, too, was willing to accept
Arthur as the rightful sovereign, and he would
have crowned the Prince then and there had not
the lords insisted on the ceremony being put off for
a season. A new trial was accordingly made at
Candlemas, and another at the Feast of Pentecost ;
but the result was the same ; none but Arthur

* A steward.

How Arthur came to his Kingdom 15

could withdraw the sword, and at last they were
obliged to acknowledge his right.

The young Prince was therefore duly crowned
by the Archbishop amid the shouts of the
people. He swore faithfully before them all to
rule the country wisely and well, and to right the
many wrongs that remained to be redressed.
We know how well he kept his VOWT, with the
aid of the knights of his famous Round Table ;
for the story of his deeds has been preserved for
us by the old chroniclers and by tradition. In
the following chapters wre shall read of some of
his principal knights, and see how they fared in
their adventures while upholding the chivalry of
King Arthur's court.

16

II.— OF KING ARTHUR'S MARRIAGE, AND

HOW SIR TOR PROVED HIMSELF

A WORTHY KNIGHT.

WHEN Arthur was king in Britain, and was ruling
the country wisely and well, Merlin became his
most trusted counsellor. He was a very old and
very wise man, as I have said; how old no one
exactly knew, but there was no doubt as to his
wisdom, for through his cunning and magic, King
Arthur was brought safely through many perils,
and had overcome the other kings and lords who
made war against him. When, therefore, Arthur
thought about choosing a queen to sit upon his
throne, it was Merlin whom he first consulted 011
the matter.

Merlin fully agreed that it would be a good
thing for Arthur to take a wife, and asked him if
there were any lady he loved more than another.

" Yes," said King Arthur ; " I love Guinevere,
the beautiful daughter of King Leodegraunce of
Cameliard, for she is the fairest lady that I know."

On hearing this, Merlin said he would go to
King Leodegraunce, and tell him of Arthur's desire.
Now, this king had in his keeping the famous Round
Table, which Uther Pendragon, Arthur's father,
had once possessed. When he received Merlin's
message he was glad to think that such a noble
and mighty prince as Arthur had sued for his
daughter's hand, and he cast about in his mind how

Of Arthur's Marriage and Sir Tor 17

to make a fitting present to Arthur in token of his
good- will. As Arthur had no need of more lands
or money, Leodegraunce was puzzled as to what
to send, until he bethought himself of the Round
Table. So when Merlin returned with King
Leodegraunce's consent, he also took with him the
famous table, together with a hundred knights.
The table had seats for a hundred and fifty in all,
but the number was not yet complete.

As you may imagine, there was great rejoicing
in Arthur's kingdom over the success of the
mission, and the King himself was highly pleased
with the present Leodegraunce had sent him. He
now gave orders that preparations for the wedding
and coronation should be begun at once, and com-
manded Merlin to seek out fifty more knights of
prowess in order to fill all the table's seats, or
" sieges," as the old chronicles style them.

Merlin sought far and wide, but he could only
find twenty-eight knights who were worthy, and
these were accordingly allotted places.

" You will fill the other sieges in good time," he
said to Arthur, " for there are many who will yet
prove themselves good knights and true, and will
do great deeds."

One of the seats at the Round Table was destined
to be filled very shortly. One morning there came
a poor man into the King's court, and with him
there was a fair youth, riding on a lean and poor-
looking horse. When he presented himself be-
fore Arthur, the peasant said :

" O King, I have been told that at this time of
your marriage you would give any man the gift
that he might ask, if it were in reason. There-

B

is Stories of King Arthur

fore, I beseech you to make my son here one of
your knights."

"You ask a bold thing, indeed," said Arthur,
though he was not a little pleased with the youth's
appearance. "What is your name, and who are
you?"

Then the peasant answered that he was one
Aries, a cowherd, and that he had thirteen other
sons who were all at work in the fields and else-
where, but this son, Tor, would do nothing but
think of fighting, and practise with arms all day
long, and beg his father to make him a knight,
so that he might ride away to the wars.

King Arthur, who liked the lad the more he
looked upon him, decided to grant his desire ;
and having taken Tor's sword he smote him
lightly with it on the shoulder and created him
a knight. He further promised him that he should
belong to the Round Table if he showed himself
worthy.

Now wise old Merlin had been standing by the
King's side during this scene, and when Arthur ap-
pealed to him to know what kind of a knight Sir
Tor would make, Merlin replied :

"He ought to be a very noble knight, for he
comes of as good blood as any in your company.
He is a king's son."

" How mean you ? " asked Arthur in some be-
wilderment.

" I mean," said Merlin, " that Sir Tor is the son
of none other than King Pellinore, and that the
cowherd's wife found him and brought him up."

Aries' wife was immediately sent for, arid on
being questioned she confessed that the boy was a

Of Arthur's Marriage and Sir Tor 19

foundling and not their own son, at which Arthur
was secretly glad.

The next day King Pellinore himself came to
the court and learnt of the strange manner in
which his long-lost son had been found. Tor had
grown into a fine, handsome, well-built youth, and
Pellinore was proud to acknowledge him.

In due course King Arthur was married, and
there was great feasting and merry-making among
his people. On the wedding-day, while all the
King's knights were seated at the Round Table, in
the great hall of the Palace, Merlin came in and
bade them sit still, for something very marvellous
was about to happen. He had hardly spoken, be-
fore a white hart* ran into the hall, followed by a
number of dogs. The frightened animal ran round
the table, in and out amongst the knights, who
remembered Merlin's injunction and kept still.

Suddenly one of the dogs bit the hart, and the
creature made a great leap that overthrew one of
the knights. The latter at once rose up and, taking
the dog in his arms, strode out of the hall, mounted
upon his horse, and rode away. ^A little after-
wards a lady, riding a white palfrey, t entered the
hall and begged the King with many tears to
restore her dog to her ; but while she was speaking
a tall knight in armour rode in and carried her
away on his horse.

King Arthur was not sorry to see the last of
her, for such an interruption to the festivities was
unseemly. Merlin, however, declared that the adven-
ture wras more important than Arthur thought,
and when the clamour had subsided he said :
* A stag, or male deer. t A small riding horse.

20

Stories of King Arthur

"You must call Sir Gawaine (another new
knight), for it is he "who must bring the white hart
back again ; and you must call Sir Tor, for he must
ride after the knight with the dog and bring that
back also."

To King Pellinore he decreed the quest of the
knight who had carried off the lady ; and all the
three, said Merlin, would do wondrous deeds ere
they met again at Arthur's court.

How Sir Gawaine and King Pellinore set out
on their quests, and what marvellous adven-
tures they had, cannot be set down here; suffice
it to say that they fulfilled Merlin's predictions.
It is with Sir Tor that we will concern ourselves.

Immediately on receiving the King's command,
the young knight sprang upon his horse (an old
courser, which his father, King Pellinore, presented
to him), and rode out on to the broad highway,
greatly wondering as to what fortune had in store
for him. He had not gone far on his journey be-
fore he met a dwarf who barred his way.

"Thou canst not pass," cried this individual,
" unless thou wilt joust * with yonder knights."

As he spoke, he pointed to where two pavilions
stood, with shields hung outside them, and several
long spears near by.

Sir Tor was in no mood for wasting time, and he
was about to press on when the dwarf blew upon a
horn, and a knight in armour dashed out of one of
the pavilions. The youth met his onslaught boldly,
and succeeded in unhorsing his adversary at the
first blow. The second knight Sir Tor served in
like manner, and on their begging for mercy he
* See second footnote on page 12.

Of Arthur's Marriage and Sir Tor 21

bade them take their way to Arthur's court at
Camelot, and await his return.

The dwarf now prayed Sir Tor to take him into
his service, and having secured a horse he followed
his new master.

In time they came to a forest, where, in a
pavilion, Sir Tor found the dog of which he was in
quest. There was a lady asleep there also, and
when she awoke on hearing the noise she warned
the youth that he would come to harm if he per-
sisted in taking the dog away. But Sir Tor
laughed her words to scorn, declaring that he
would take whatever adventure might befall him.
So he and the dwarf turned back with their prize
towards Camelot.

They had gone some distance when they heard
a knight riding furiously after them, and calling
to them to stop. This knight now bade Sir Tor
yield up the clog to him, but Sir Tor refused.
The two then took their shields and spears, and
fell fiercely upon each other. For hours they
fought hard with their spears, and, when they
were on foot, with their swords. Sir Tor was
wounded in many places and well-nigh exhausted,
but he was determined not to give in, and eventu-
ally he brought his adversary to the ground.

While the fallen knight, who was named Sir
Abelleus, lay at his feet, a lady rode up to Sir Tor
and besought him to kill the other knight, "for,"
she said, " he is a most wicked knight, and a mur-
derer, and he deserves no mercy." Learning that
Sir Abelleus had foully killed this damsel's brother,
Sir Tor granted her request, and with one stroke
smote off the treacherous knight's head.

Stories of King Arthur

After resting for the night at the lady's castle,
where she and her husband feasted him royally,
Sir Tor proceeded on his way, and three days
later arrived at Camelot. King Arthur and Queen
Guinevere were glad indeed to see him safely re-
turned, and when he had recounted the tale of his
adventures they declared that he had borne himself
most gallantly.

In reward for his prowess King Arthur bestowed
an earldom on Sir Tor, together with a fine estate.

But Merlin, who could look into the future, said
that these deeds were nothing to what Sir Tor
would do later on, and that he would become as
noble and gentle and courteous a knight as any in
the land All of which, of course, came true.

23

III.— OF SIR BEAUMAINS AND HIS QUEST.

IT was the time of Pentecost, and King Arthur
was holding his court in Wales. Just before noon
one day, as the King was going into the banquet
prepared for him, a messenger entered the hall
and announced that a strange party was approach-
ing. There were three men on horseback, he said,
accompanied by a dwarf. A little later the new-
comers made their entrance, two of them being
roughly dressed serving men, while the third was
a tall, broad-shouldered youth of striking appear-
ance, although somewhat plainly clad.

Having made his obeisance to the King, the
young man exclaimed : —

" King Arthur, I am come hither to claim three
gifts of you. The first I will ask now, but the other
two I will ask a year hence, when you again hold
your feast."

Arthur smiled on him graciously, and bade him
proceed.

" I will ask but this, O King," continued the
youth; "that you will grant me food and drink
and lodging here for the next twelvemonth."

" That is but a small thing to ask," replied the
King ; " is there nothing better you desire ? Come,
ask what you will, for I think you are not what
your dress would proclaim, but that you come of
good family. What is your name, pray ? "

24 Stories of King Arthur

To this the youth answered that he could not
tell his name yet, and that he desired nothing
more than to live at the King's court, as he had
said, and receive meat and drink for a twelve-
month.

King Arthur was curious to know more about
this lusty youth, whose well-knit figure pleased him
greatly, but as the other would say nothing further
he called Sir Kay, his seneschal, and bade him treat
the lad well.

Sir Kay cast a disdainful look upon his new
charge, and sniffed contemptuously. " Things have
come to a pretty pass, indeed," he said, " when any
peasant's son who likes to come to court can have
his lodging free, and feed at the King's expense
the year round ! "

" But he may be a great lord's son, for all you
know," said some of the knights present. " Even
King Arthur suspects him of being of noble
birth."

" Fiddlesticks ! " cried Sir Kay angrily. " He is a
country boor, I promise you. Had he been aught
else he would have begged for horse, and armour,
and a stout lance, and a knightly quest. But this
great clown — this Beaumains (Fair Hands) as we
will call him — will have naught but eating and
drinking, so please you ! And enough of that he
shall have, for he shall take his fill in the kitchen
with the others, and stuff himself as fat as any
pig ! "

So Beaumains was given a seat among the
King's serving men and kitchen boys, and there he
lived for twelve months, as Arthur had promised
him. Every day he performed the same menial

Of Sir Beaumains and His Quest 25

tasks as his fellows, taking Sir Kay's mocks and
jeers in the best of good humours. But one thing
could draw him from his work, and that was a
jousting between any of the knights of the court.
Then Beaumains would hie himself to the lists and
watch eagerly how the knights bore themselves
with lance and sword. And whenever there were
any bouts of arms and feats of strength in which
he might join, he was one of the foremost ; and so
strong was he that none of his fellows could beat
him.

At the end of the year there came to King
Arthur's court a damsel who demanded redress for
her mistress's wrongs. Arthur was always ready
to see justice done in his kingdom, and no one ever
appealed to him in vain.

" My mistress," said the damsel, " is in great
peril, and prays your help. She is kept prisoner by
a tyrant knight in a castle far away. Ask me not
her name now, O King, for I may not tell it ; but
I pray you send one of your noble knights to set
her free."

Now when Arthur heard her say that she might
riot disclose her mistress's name, he declared that
none of his knights should go on such a quest unless
of his own free will. The King looked round the as-
sembled court, but no knight proffered his services.
He was about to speak again, when Beaumains
suddenly thrust himself forward and knelt at
Arthur's feet.

" A boon, Sir King ! " he cried. " A boon. For
twelve months have I sat at your table, and now is
the time for me to ask the other two gifts you
promised me."

26 Stories of King Arthur

" Say on," commanded the King.

" Well, then," continued Beaumains, " I beg you
to grant me this adventure, and let me ride with
this damsel to rescue her mistress. And secondly,
grant that Sir Lancelot may dub me knight, for I
would receive knighthood from none other save
thyself, O King."

" Tis granted," cried Arthur ; " it shall be thy
quest, boy, and may God send thee a safe ending
to it."

All present rejoiced greatly at Beaumains' good
fortune, for the youth was well liked ; all that is,
except the damsel herself, who now turned angrily
upon the King.

" What ! " she cried ; " can 1 have no knight
errant but one of thy kitchen boys ? Then will I
have none at all ! " And so saying she called for
her palfrey and rode away.

It was not long ere Beaumains was ready to
follow her, for the same dwarf who had attended
him before now appeared with a fine horse and a
suit of armour. And so, well equipped, save for
lance and shield, he spurred after the damsel.

Sir Kay, still scornful of his kitchen-boy's
prowess, now got upon his horse and rode after
Beaumains, thinking to humble his pride.

"I will show you," he said to Sir Lancelot and
the other knights, " how this braggart shall be
taught his place."

When Beaumains heard the seneschal thunder-
ing along behind him he turned, and with his
sword drawn charged full tilt at Sir Kay. The
latter went down at the first shock and lay stunned,
for the youth had dealt him a terrible blow upon

Of Sir Beaumains and His Quest 27

his helm. Then Beaumains took the seneschal's
shield and spear, and, arming himself with them,
rode once more after the damsel.

Following close upon Sir Kay came Sir Lance-
lot who, calling out to Beaumains, bade him stop.

"Will you joust with me, Sir Lancelot?" asked
the youth joyfully.

" That I will," replied the knight, and thereupon
they made ready for the fray.

At the first onset both went down together, and
fighting on foot with their swords they battled
fiercely for a long time. Sir Lancelot was sur-
prised to find what a formidable adversary
Beaumains proved to be, for he was one of the
foremost of the Round Table knights, and very
few could withstand him in the field. At last Sir
Lancelot cried : " Beaumains, I pray you fight not
so strongly. We have no quarrel, and I am fain to
rest awhile."

So the youth ceased fighting, and the two
talked together. When Sir Lancelot pressed
him, Beaumains acknowledged that he was truly of
noble birth, and that he was Sir Gareth, the son
of the King of Orkney. His mother, he said, had
sent him to Arthur's court well equipped with
knightly gear, but he had determined that what
knighthood he won should be through his prowess
alone, and not because of his high rank. And thus
he had disguised himself as we know. Sir Lance-
lot gladly knighted the youth on hearing his story,
for he felt assured that Beaumains was destined to
do great deeds. Then, leaving him, he hastened
back to Arthur's court.

On overtaking the damsel, who had hardly

28 Stories of King Arthur

waited to see the result of the combat, Beaumains
found himself greeted with anything but welcome
words.

" Faugh ! " said she, drawing away from him ;
" has this scullion knave come back to me ? " And
vowing that his clothes smelt of the kitchen she
ordered him to begone, for he should not ride
with her.

Still Beaumains, for all that she laughed and
scoffed at him, refused to abandon the quest, and
they rode on together. On the way the youth
overcame two knights who barred his passage at a
ford in a river, and slew them ; but the damsel de-
clared that he had killed them by mischance, and
said that there was an adventure before him that
she warranted would make him flinch.

" Let that be as it may be," returned the youth ;
" I will not give up this quest until I have rescued
your mistress. And I care not who those doughty
knights be who guard her so well."

It was not many hours later before they came
to a forest wherein a tall black knight seated on
a black charger met their view. All this knight's
trappings, and even his shield and spear, were in
black. At sight of him Beaumains couched his
lance and pulled down the vizor of his helm. Pres-
ently the other knight bore down upon him, and
with a crash as of thunder they dashed together.
For a full hour or more they fought, and in
the end Beaumains struck the other so sorely
that the Black Knight fell from his horse and
died.

Despite this deed the damsel still mocked her
companion, declaring that chance alone had

This knight he served as he had done the other."

Of Sir Beaumains and His Quest 29

favoured him, and that he need not hope to
escape from the knight's two brothers, whom he
had yet to meet. To all of which the youth an-
swered nothing, save to say that he was ready for
whatever fortune might send him.

The second foe whom Beaumains encountered
was a knight who was apparelled all in green.
This knight he served as he had done the other,
but sparing his life at the damsel's request. After
this Beaumains thought she would soften towards
him, but, nevertheless, she continued to jeer at him
and call him " foul kitchen-boy," as before.

Biding on their way, they came in time to where
the third of the brethren — he who was known as the
Red Knight — was awaiting him. At a given signal
the two rushed together and shivered their lances
on each other's shields. Then, fighting on foot, they
fell to fiercely with their swords, until finally the
Red Knight was overthrown and lay helpless on
the ground. Beaumains now made ready to slay
him, too, for he resolved that the damsel should
again entreat him to show mercy. This at length
she did, whereupon he bade the Red Knight rise
and betake himself with his brother the Green.
Knight to Arthur's court, there to tell how they
had been worsted and overthrown.

Yet another doughty adversary, Sir Persant of
Inde, or the Blue Knight, had Beaumains to over-
come, and only now, on his proving himself the
victor once more, did the damsel leave off reviling
him and begin to feel ashamed of her words.
But Beaumains bore her no malice and forgave her
readily. And to Sir Persant and the damsel, whose
name was Lynette, he revealed his true name,

30 Stories of King Arthur

much to their astonishment, for they had all
along deemed him to be of lowly birth.

When the Lady Lyonors, who was being held
captive in the castle, was informed of the champion
who was coming to release her, she sent word to
her sister Lynette (for such the damsel was) to see
to Beaumains' wants, and prepare him for the last
battle that was before him. For he had yet to
meet another famous Red Knight, who was stronger
far than any of the others.

In due course Beaumains and the damsel arrived
at the castle, and here the Red Knight rode out to
do battle with him. Of all those whom the youth
had encountered, this knight was indeed the
fiercest, and he had hard work to contend against
the other's terrible blows. Eventually, however,
he conquered, and the Red Knight had to sue
for mercy.

So Beaumains, or Sir Gareth, as he should be
rightly called, achieved his quest, and released
Lynette's sister from her prison. Being himself
sorely wounded, he remained some time in the
castle, where he was nursed by the Lady Lyonors
and ere long won her love. When they returned
together to Arthur's Court never was such a noble
wedding as that of Sir Gareth and his lady. And
of all, none was so pleased at the happy termina-
tion of the adventure as King Arthur, for he ever
loved to see a man prove himself a worthy and
valiant knight.

31

IV.— OF SIR TRISTRAM OF LYONESSE AND
LA BELLE YSOLDE.

OF all the knights of King Arthur's noble brother-
hood, there were very few who won greater renown
than Sir Tristram. He was the son of the King of
Lyonesse, and, his mother having died while he was
still a baby, he was brought up in a stepmother's
care. Now, this stepmother bore Tristram 110 love
because he was heir to his father's kingdom, and
her own children could not inherit it while he lived.
She therefore resolved to get rid of him by some
means or other, and finally fixed upon poison as
being the safest method.

Her first attempt failed, for the Queen's own son
himself found the deadly cup where she had placed
it and, drinking of it, died. This made her still
more bent on killing Tristram, and she again placed
a cup of poisoned wine in his way. As luck would
have it, this time it was the King who first hap-
pened upon it. He had just returned from a day's
hunting and, being hot and thirsty, he took up the
cup to drink off the cooling wine. At this moment
the Queen, who had been watching for Tristram to
appear, caught sight of the King. Darting from
her hiding-place, she struck the cup from his
grasp.

" What means this ? " asked the King in sur-
prised tones.

The guilty Queen could say nothing. Words
failed her, and she stood before him with red-
dened downcast face.

Stories of King Arthur

The King now recalled to mind the strange
death of his son, and understanding that some-
thing was amiss with the wine-cup he said
sternly :

" Wife of mine though thou art, thou shalt
tell me if thou hast played me false ! What means
this sudden confusion and silence on thy part?
What hast thou done to this wine ? "

The Queen endeavoured to put him off and
make her escape, but the King held her fast. Then,
drawing his sword, he threatened her with instant
death if she would not at once confess the truth.
At this she fell upon her knees and sobbed out how
she had laid a trap for young Tristram, meaning
to kill him and so secure the inheritance for her
own children.

The King heard her to the end with a set, grim
face. Then he ordered her to retire to her apart-
ments, where he put a guard over her that she
might not do any further mischief. In the morning
he called a council of his chief barons, and, lay-
ing the case before them, asked what should be
done. They debated for some time, and at last, it
having been decided that the Queen should die,
they condemned her to be burnt.

Preparations for the carrying out of the Queen's
sentence were f orthwith begun, a large pile of wood
being erected in the Palace courtyard. Young
Tristram was soon told of what was going on,
and in great concern he hastened to the King's
chamber. There, kneeling before his father, he
begged to be granted a boon.

" 'Tis well," said the King ; " speak, my son, and
I will grant thy request."

Of Sir Tristram of Lyonesse 33

" I ask for nothing but the life of the Queen, my
stepmother," answered the boy. Then, seeing his
father turn his head away with an angry frown,
he added : " I will not rise till thou hast granted
what thou promised."

" But the Queen sought to kill thee, and she bears
thee only ill-will. Thou shouldst be glad that she
is to die," said the King.

To this Tristram made answer that he forgave
her readily for her evil intentions towards him, as
he hoped God would forgive her, and he begged
so hard that the King would relent that the latter
at length gave way and granted his request.
Tristram sprang joyfully to his feet, and hastening
out to the courtyard, where the unhappy Queen
was being prepared for execution, he set her free
and led her back into the Palace.

In due time the King himself forgave her, but
fearing that her old hatred for Tristram might yet
assert itself, he resolved to send the boy away.
Tristram was accordingly despatched into France
in the charge of a gentleman who was well fitted to
teach him all that should become a young knight.
And he made such good progress that he became
an adept at hunting and feats of arms, in addition
to learning many musical instruments and perfect-
ing himself in other arts. When he returned home
he had grown into a fine young man, big and
strong, and the King, his father, was justly proud
of him. His stepmother, too, ever since he had
saved her from such a dreadful fate, had come
to love him as her own son, and now she made
more of him than ever.

So matters went on until one day there came a
c

34 Stories of King Arthur

message from the King of Ireland to King Mark
of Cornwall (Tristram's uncle), demanding payment
of a certain feudal right which had been owing for
some years past. On King Mark's refusing to ac-
cede to this demand, the Irish king sent one of his
best knights, Sir Marhaus by name, to do battle on
his behalf. Sir Marhaus accordingly took ship to
Cornwall, and challenged King Mark to send a
champion to meet him, it being agreed that the
result of the fight should settle the point at
issue.

This knight, Sir Marhaus, was so famous a
fighter that no one could be found in Cornwall bold
enough to encounter him, and Sir Marhaus waited
in vain for a champion to oppose him. At last
news of the situation came to Lyonesse, and to
Tristram's ears. The youth now went to the King,
his father, and prayed for leave to ride to his
uncle and offer him his services.

As you may imagine, the old King was very loth
to let his son go, knowing well what a doughty
knight Sir Marhaus was. But the youth would
give him no rest until he had consented, and
eventually Tristram was equipped in a manner
befitting his rank, and sent on his way to King
Mark's court.

When the youth presented himself and declared
his errand, King Mark welcomed him warmly,
though he feared greatly (as well he might) for the
result of the battle. Sir Marhaus soon heard that
a knight had come forward, and gladly made him-
self ready. On his demanding to know who the
champion was, Tristram revealed his identity,
and King Mark was more rejoiced than before

Of Sir Tristram of Lyonesse 35

fco learn that it was his nephew who had come
to defend his cause.

On the appointed day, Sir Tristram, who had by
this time been knighted, betook himself to the island
where Sir Marhaus was awaiting him. Here he
armed himself, bidding his servant go back to
the ship, and not to venture near him unless he
were overcome or killed. Then he and Sir Marhaus
set their spears in rest and dashed fiercely against
each other.

The shock was so great that both were unhorsed,
Sir Tristram receiving a severe wound in his side.
Sir Marhaus was unhurt, and, leaping to his feet, he
drew his great sword. Sir Tristram had drawn his
also, and the two fell to fighting hand to hand, the
blows ringing on their shields like thunderclaps.
For hours they fought thus, neither gaining the
advantage, while the supporters of the champions
watched them anxiously from the ships near by.
Although Tristram's wound hurt him sorely, he
did not tire quite so easily as his adversary. Find-
ing at last that Sir Marhaus showed signs of
weakening, he redoubled his efforts, and very soon,
with a mighty stroke, cleft the Irish knight's
helm, the point of his sword sticking in the other's
head and breaking off.

Sir Marhaus fell groaning to the ground ; then,
struggling to his feet, he threw away his sword
and shield, and ran off as fast as he could to his
ship. In vain did Tristram call after him to end the
combat ; the knight would not turn back. So the
youth returned to King Mark, bearing the arms of
Sir Marhaus in token of his victory

The wound which Sir Tristram had received

36 Stories of King Arthur

proved to be more troublesome than was antici-
pated, for Sir Marhaus's spear — contrary to all
the rules of chivalry — had been envenomed, and
the youth lay in great danger for his life. There
was no surgeon or doctor in the land who could
cure him, but a wise woman who appeared before
the King declared that Tristram could only be
made well in the land whence the venom came.
King Mark thereupon procured a vessel, and sent
the young knight off to Ireland with his faithful
squire. Little did he think of how this journey
was to end.

On arriving in the green isle Tristram thought
it well to hide his real name, seeing that he was in
Sir Marhaus's country, and that some of the latter's
kinsmen might seek to revenge themselves upon
him, for Sir Marhaus had not returned home
many weeks before he died. He, therefore, let
himself be known as " Tramtrist," turning his own
name round, and appeared before the King in
the guise of a harper. So pleased was the King
with the newcomer's music, that he showed him
great favour, and placed him in the care of his
daughter, the beautiful Ysolde, who was famous
throughout Ireland for her skill in surgery. It
was not iong ere the princess had cured Tristram
of his wound, and it was not long, also, ere the
youth himself had fallen madly in love with his
fair physician.

His rival for the hand of La Belle Ysolde, as the
King's daughter was called, was one Sir Palamides,
the Saracen. This knight stood high in the King's
esteem, but Ysolde herself loved Tristram far
better.

Tristram smiting him clean off his horse.'

Of Sir Tristram of Lyonesse 37

One day the King decreed that a great tourna-
ment should be held, the victorious knight to be
the winner of the fair lady's hand, in whose honour
the jousts were held. Many knights of fame en-
tered the lists, but one and all went down before
Sir Palamides' mighty blows, and he remained un-
beaten. When the King enquired of Sir Tristram
why he did not joust, the latter replied that he
had but recently recovered from his wound. At
the desire of La Belle Ysolde, however, who was
beginning to suspect that " Tramtrist " was some-
thing more than he purported to be, he consented
to try his fortune in the lists.

When Sir Palamides, the Saracen, rode out the
next day challenging all who cared to meet him,
Sir Tristram suddenly made his appearance, clad in
white armour and riding on a milk-white charger.

None knew who he was except La Belle
Ysolde and his squire, who was bound to secrecy,
and many were the conjectures about the " White
Knight." In the fray Sir Palamides was soon
worsted, Tristram smiting him clean off his horse.

The Saracen knight, ashamed at having been
so humbled after his loud boasting, tried to
retire unseen from the field, but Tristram pursued
him, and compelled him to fight again. They
fought now with their swords, and here, too,
Tristram proved himself stronger than the
other, so that Sir Palamides was forced to vield
himself.

Of course, the secret of " Tramtrist's " adventure
could not be long kept, and the King and Queen
were well pleased to find him a man of such
prowess. At this juncture, however, the Queen

38 Stories of King Arthur

discovered that the stranger knight was none
other than he who had slain Marhaus, the cham-
pion of Ireland; for she had kept the broken
sword-point that had been left in the dead
knight's head, and found that Tristram's own
weapon lacked such a piece.

In great fury she was now bent on killing Sir
Tristram unawares, but La Belle Ysolde restrained
her, and they consulted with the King as to what
should be done. In this dilemma the King sought
Sir Tristram, and, telling him of their startling
discovery, pressed him for his real name. The
young knight readily revealed his rank. He then
told how he had come to masquerade under the
name of " Tramtrist," and further declared his love
for the beautiful Ysolde.

The King was loth indeed to part with his
guest, but the anger of the Queen was strong
against Sir Tristram, besides which the numerous
kinsmen of Sir Marhaus might have demanded the
young knight's death. So he gave permission for
Tristram to return home, which the latter did
after taking leave of Ysolde and avowing him-
self to be always her true knight. On her side,
the princess promised that she would never marry
but by his consent, and they exchanged rings, as
true lovers always did in those old days. And so,
soon afterwards, Tristram found himself speeding
over the sea once more to his uncle, King Mark, in
Cornwall.

Of the after-career of Sir Tristram there is not
room here to speak, but those who read the
chronicles which tell of all his wonderful fights
and adventures will know how he and La Belle

Of Sir Tristram of Lyonesse 39

Ysolde loved each other to the end of their days,
although they were destined never to marry.
Which is why Sir Tristram was ever known as
" the Love-lorn."

40

V.— OF BALIN AND BALAN, AND THE
DOLOROUS STROKE.

AMONG the many smaller kings in Britain who
were jealous of Arthur's power and sought to
overthrow him was King Ryons of North Wales.
This Ryons had gathered many barons together to
serve him, and had made himself so feared in the
country round about his own territory, that he
thought himself to be stronger than he actually
was. One day he sent a herald to King Arthur,
who was holding a festival at Camelot, with this
insolent message :

" Sir King, my master sends thee fair greeting,
and he bids me tell thee that he hath overcome
eleven kings, who, in token of homage, have given
him their beards, wherewith he hath trimmed a
mantle. He yet lacks one, however, to make it
complete, and he commands thee to send him
thy beard with all haste, or else he will come
upon thee with his host, and slay thee and all
thy people."

Arthur was highly indignant at such an
insulting message, but he restrained his anger, and
bade the herald return to King Ryons, saying:

" A more shameful message was never delivered,
I trow, and I pray thee tell thy master this. My
beard is full young to make a trimming of, and I

Balin and Balan 41

owe him no homage ; but ere long he shall do
homage to me on both his knees, or else he shall
lose his head."

Many of Arthur's knights would have revenged
Ryons's insult on the person of his herald had
not the King stayed their hands, and given the
messenger safe conduct from the court.

After some time Ryons carried out his threat
by invading Arthur's kingdom and putting many
people to death. On hearing this, the King called
a council of all his principal lords and knights,
summoning them to Camelot. While he was
debating with them as to what should be done, a
damsel one morning entered the castle hall to seek
audience of him. She came, she said, from the
Lady of the Lake, and was on a mission of great
importance. Suddenly letting her mantle fall,
she showed that she wore a noble sword by her
side.

" Why dost thou wear this ? " asked King
Arthur. " It were more suited to a man than
to a fair lady like thee."

" It is of this sword that I am come to speak
to thee," answered the damsel. "That I am girt
with it is to my sorrow, for I may not be delivered
of it but by a good knight who is both brave and
pure in heart, one without villainy or treachery.
Only such as he can pull this sword from its
scabbard. I have been to King Ryons's court in
Wales, for there were many good knights there, I
learned, yet was there none who could help me.
Now am I come to thee, Sir Arthur, trusting that
here will be found one who will deliver me from
this sword."

42 Stories of King Arthur

When she had finished speaking, the King first
tried to pull out the sword from its sheath, not so
much because he deemed himself the best knight
there present, but to set his lords the example.
Neither he, however, nor any of those who
followed after him could in any way move it, and
the damsel was in greater distress than ever. Very
sadly she prepared to take her departure.

Now among the crowd of knights and men-at-
arms in the hall, who were watching the scene, was
a poor knight of Northumberland named Balin
le Savage. He had been in prison for some time
past for having killed a man, but had just been set
free. While the other knights vainly endeavoured
to draw the damsel's sword, he kept aloof, though
he longed to press forward and try his own hand.
He was so meanly clad in comparison with the
richly dressed throng around him that he felt
somewhat ashamed to make himself known, but
just as she was going out of the door, he plucked
up courage and called out :

" Fair damsel, I pray thee in courtesy to let me
make the attempt as these lords have done. Poor
though I may appear, yet methinks I am as good a
knight as any here, and may prove myself such."

The damsel, though she doubted much wrhether
he would succeed where so many had failed,
allowed him to put his hand to the sword, where-
upon, to everyone's surprise, Balin easily drew it
out. A great shout went up from all present.

" Thou art indeed a good knight, and the best
that ever I have found," said the damsel. " I thank
thee, sir knight, for thy kind office, and now, I
pray thee, return me the sword."

Balin and Balan 43

" Not so," answered Balin, " this is as good a
sword as I have seen, and I will keep it."

"Keep it an thou wilt," said the other, "but
thou wert wise not to do so." And then she told
him. how by that sword he should kill the best
friend that he had, and how it should be his own
destruction. Nevertheless, Balin vowed he would
not part with it, but would take whatever
adventure might come.

After the damsel had gone, Balin sent for his
horse and armour, for he intended now to set out
to meet and kill King Ryons, and so restore himself
to Arthur's favour. As he was about to depart,
however, there came another visitor to the court,
none other than the Lady of the Lake herself. It
was this lady who had given King Arthur his
famous sword Excalibur, in return for which he
had at the time promised to grant her a boon. She
now knelt before him, and reminded him of his
promise.

" Ask what thou wilt," said the King, " and if it
lies in my power to give it thee I will not say
nay."

Then the Lady of the Lake, who was really
a wicked sorceress, begged for either the head of
the damsel who had just brought the sword to
the court or that of the knight who had become
possessed of it, declaring that Balin had slain
her brother, while the damsel had caused her
father's death. But King Arthur would not grant
her what she asked, though she begged hard, and
at last she went away.

As she was passing out of the hall, Balin met
her, and, recognising her for the witch- woman who,

44 Stories of King Arthur

among many evil deeds, had cruelly killed his
mother, he quickly drew his sword and smote
off her head. When this was told to the King
he was very angry with Balin, and although the
latter recounted all the wicked things that the
Lady of the Lake had done, he would not forgive
him, but ordered him to leave the court at once.
Very sad at heart, in that he had offended Arthur,
Balin mounted his horse and rode away from
Camelot.

Some days afterwards, while Balin was passing
through a great forest, he beheld a knight riding
towards him, and to his joy recognised in the
stranger his own brother Balan. When the latter
had heard of all Balin's adventures, he said that
he would join him. The two, therefore, went
on their way together, hoping that it would not be
Ipng before they encountered King Ryons.

The two knights were nearer to the end of their
quest than they imagined, for the King was then
not very far distant; but they might still have
failed, had it not been for the aid of Merlin. The
old wizard met them on the road, and told them,
that if they hid in the covert close at hand, they
would soon see Ryons with some sixty of his
knights come riding by. He further repeated the
warning the damsel had uttered, namely, that
Balin, unless he turned back and threw away his
sword, would deal the most dolorous* stroke ever
dealt by man, and bring great misery upon himself.
But to all this the knight turned a deaf ear.

Acting upon Merlin's advice, Balin and Balan
now concealed themselves in the covert, and when

* Sorrowful.

Balin and Balan 45

presently King Ryons and his Knights came
jingling clown the forest path, with no suspicion of
danger, they dashed out upon them. The King
and his little company were taken at such a
disadvantage that in a little time forty of the
knights had been killed, while the rest fled in
disorder, leaving their royal master a prisoner.
Ryons having yielded himself, Balin bade him
ride on to Arthur's court at Camelot to pay
homage to the King, and make amends for his
misdeeds.

The two brothers passed through many other
adventures, of which there is not space to speak
here, and at length parted company. Balin was
loth to return to Camelot until he had achieved
still greater deeds. He had captured Arthur's
enemy and sent him to the King in triumph, but he
longed to win more fame. So he rode on alone
through different countries, seeking to rescue those
who were in peril and to destroy such as did evil.

Eventually Balin came to a castle which stood
on a hill, and rode boldly up to the gates to demand
admittance. An old man, who was Merlin in
disguise, bade him turn back, saying it would be ill
for him did he enter the castle, but the knight paid
no heed to the warning. He thundered at the
portals, and as he did so he heard a horn blow, just
as when a stag receives its death wound. Balin's
heart misgave him at this, for the old man's words
came back to his mind. " That blast is blown for
me," he said to himself, " and I am the prize. But
I am not dead yet."

Immediately after the horn had sounded the
castle gate was raised, and Balin saw a troop of

46 Stories of King Arthur

knights and ladies thronging into the open
courtyard. With much courtesy they led him
inside, where he was feasted and entertained in
a royal manner. At supper the Lady of the Castle
told him that there was a knight who lived on
an island near by, and who let no man pass without
breaking a spear with him.

"Thou must have ado with this knight," she
said, " or thou canst not continue thy journey."

"That will I readily," answered Balin, "for it
is an evil custom, and to-morrow morn, after I have
rested, I will joust with him."

Early the next day Balin got ready for the
fight. As he was putting on his armour a knight
offered him his shield, which was larger than
Balin's, and, little thinking how he would rue this
act, he took it in place of his own. Then Balin was
rowed across the stream to the island whereon
lived the unknown knight.

He had hardly landed when from the castle
on the little isle there came riding towards him
a big knight whose armour, like the trappings of
his horse, was all red. The latter, who was Sir
Balan, thought he recognised his brother in this
rash intruder on his domain, but, failing to see
Balin's well-known shield, he concluded he was
mistaken. In a few moments the two had charged
upon each other, and now began one of the most
fearful fights that have ever been chronicled.

Each knight was overborne in the encounter,
and for a brief while, so terrible had been the
shock, they lay stunned upon the field. Balan was
the first to rise and renew the combat, for Balin
was still wearied after his travels. Taking to their

Balin and Balan 47

swords they fought fiercely for some hours, dealing
such great blows that their armour was well-nigh
hacked in pieces, while the wounds they suffered
were enough to have caused the death — so the
chronicler puts it — "of the mightiest giant in
this world."

After they had fought for so long that both
were spent of breath, Sir Balan, the younger
brother, who was the worse hurt of the two,
withdrew to one side and threw himself on the
ground. Then Balin cried :

"Who art thou, sir knight? For never found
I yet anyone who so withstood me."

" My name is Balan," replied the other, " and
I am brother to the noble knight Balin."

" Alas ! " exclaimed Balin, " that I should have
lived to see this day ! " Then, crawling on his
hands and knees to his brother's side, he raised
the latter's helm and looked into his face.

" Oh, Balan," he said, " I am Balin ; woe is me
that I have slain thee, as thou also hast slain

me."

And his brother moaned : " Oh, Balin, we have
killed one another, and men shall mourn for
us both."

In this wise they lamented together, the
while Balan told of how he had been compelled
to keep the island against all who came that
way, and Balin recounted how he had come to do
battle with him bearing a strange shield. Then,
clasped in each other's arms, they died.

The Lady of the Castle, who, with her knights
and ladies, had witnessed the fight from afar,
had the two brothers buried in a splendid tomb,

48 Stories of King Arthur

on the front of which Merlin inscribed their
names and the sad story of their deaths.

As for the wondrous sword with which Balin
dealt the dolorous stroke, Merlin put it in a
marble stone which floated upon the water for
many years until at last it was carried down the
stream to Camelot. And here, as you will read
later on, it Avas found by the young knight
Sir Galahad, who alone was deemed worthy to
bear it.

VI.-OF SIR BREUNOR AND THE ADVEN-
TURE OF THE BLACK SHIELD.

IN an earlier chapter I related the history of the
youth whom Sir Kay, the Seneschal, dubbed Beau-
mains in scorn. There was yet another knight who
came to King Arthur's court, and was made the
butt of Sir Kay's wit. This is the story of how he,
too, went on a perilous quest and proved himself
worthy to sit at the Round Table.

One day, while King Arthur was holding his
court at Camelot, a tall, well-made youth, richly
dressed, made his appearance and asked for an
audience. When this was granted he said :

" O King, I have come to you to be made a
knight. My name is Breunor, and my father was a
most noble lord, so you will do well to grant me
this favour."

" Be that as it may," returned Arthur ; " but I
must know more before I make you knight. Why
wear you this great cloak of gold cloth ? " he con-
tinued, for the other had a richly embroidered coat,
which was somewhat too large for him, and ill-
shapen, and hung awkwardly from his shoulders.

Then the youth told how the same coat had be-
longed to his father, who had been treacherously
slain one day while asleep. A false knight, his
old-time enemy, had stolen upon him unawares
and killed him with many great strokes of his
sword.
D

50 Stories of King Arthur

" Which is why the coat sits so badly upon me,"
concluded Breunor, " for the strokes be on it even
as I found it when my father lay dead. And I
vowed to wear it until I have revenged his foul
death. Now, O King, I pray you again, make me a
knight, that I may fare forth on my life-quest."

Some of the older knights of the Round Table,
who had listened to the young man's story, now
urged the King to grant the request, and Arthur
at last promised to make him a knight on the
following day.

The next morning, as it happened, King Arthur
and a number of his knights rode out a-hunting.
Breunor remained at the castle with several others
in the company of Queen Guinevere and her ladies.
While the young knights and the fair ladies were
walking up and down the pleasant terraces a
terrible cry of alarm was heard. A large lion that
was kept caged in a tower at one end of the
castle had managed to break loose, and was mak-
ing his way towards them.

The fierce animal came leaping on with loud
roars, and the Queen and her ladies fled in wild
haste. Most of the knights also turned tail and,
to their shame, thought only of their own safety.
Breunor, with twelve other knights, alone stood in
the lion's path to bar its progress. Drawing his
sword' the youth boldly faced the animal, who, see-
ing himself challenged, came on at a still greater
pace, with gaping jaws. Then Breunor flung his
sword high above his head, and, as the lion
came within striking reach, brought the weapon
down with a mighty sweep that cleft the creature's
head in two.

" Breunor flung his sword high above his head."

Sir Breunor and the Black Shield 51

Seeing the lion dead on the ground, all those
who had fled from the terrace plucked up courage
to come forth again, and word was speedily brought
to the Queen that the youth La Cote Male Taile (i.e.
the knight of the ill-shaped coat), as Sir Kay had at
once nicknamed him, had slain the lion. When
the King soon afterwards returned, he too was in-
formed of the great danger in which the Queen had
been placed, and he gave young Breunor high
praise for his courage.

" As I am a king," he said, " you shall prove a
most noble and valiant knight, and one of the
most worthy to sit with me at the Round Table."

And therewith Arthur dubbed him knight, and
called him Sir Breunor. But the young man said :
"An it please you, I will be knoAvn by no other
name than that of ' La Cote Male Taile,' as Sir Kay
hath christened me, that my quest may be ever in
men's minds."

To this Arthur and the knights of his court
readily agreed, and so he was known among them.

Very soon after this event a damsel rode into
Camelot, bearing with her a large black shield, on
one side of which was painted a hand holding a
sword. To the King's questions she answered that
she had ridden from a great distance with this
shield, which had belonged to a certain doughty
knight. The latter had been worsted by another
champion, and had committed the shield to her
care, bidding her carry it to Arthur's court, and
request someone there to take it and fulfil the
quest.

When this wras made known to the assembled
knights there was a great silence awhile, no one

52 Stories of King Arthur

offering to take the shield. At last La Cote Male
Taile strode forward, saying : " Fair damsel, I will
take this adventure upon me, for I am but this day
made knight, and would fain take such a quest
upon me."

Then the damsel, having enquired his name,
warned him that he would find it no light sum-
mer's day adventure, but one full of hard knocks.

" That is all the more to my liking," returned
La Cote Male Taile, and very soon afterwards,
having donned his armour, he mounted and rode
off with his fair companion.

The two had not gone far on their journey when
they saw Sir Dagonet, the King's jester, spurring
hard after them. " Halt now, young knight," cried
the fool ; " halt and break a spear with me."

La Cote Male Taile turned and made himself
ready, for he knew that this was a piece of Sir
Kay's doing, to belittle him in the damsel's eyes.
And as Sir Dagonet came at him he smote him so
hard that the jester was flung headlong over his
horse's neck.

The damsel meanwhile mocked at her champion
for jousting with a fool, and said he wrould be
ashamed when they heard of it at Arthur's court.
Later on La Cote Male Taile encountered Sir Pala-
mides and several other knights, and was thrown
from his horse by each in turn, though they re-
fused to fight with him on foot. These mishaps
made the damsel more bitter than before in her
railing, and when eventually one, Sir Mordred,
joined their company, she would have nothing to
do with La Cote Male Taile, but rode with the
other.

Sir Breunor and the Black Shield 53

In due course they came to a famous stronghold
known as Castle Orgulous, where it was the
custom for every knight who came thither to joust
or be made prisoner. As they approached, two
knights dashed across the drawbridge against them,
with their lances couched. The one who encoun-
tered Sir Mordred smote the latter from off his
horse, but La Cote Male Taile and his adversary
were both unhorsed, whereupon the young knight,
jumping upon the other's steed, pursued him into
the castle itself, and there slew him.

While La Cote Male Taile stood thus in the
courtyard, with the dead knight whom he had
vanquished at his feet, a host of other knights
gathered round him and sought to take him
prisoner. So, getting off his horse, he quickly led
the animal through the gateway, and then dashed
back, sword in hand, to tight his opponents. He
fought desperately against these terrible odds, but
it seemed impossible that he could overcome them.
At last, as he stood at bay with his back to a
wall, a fair lady saw him, and seeing the peril that
he was in, she came to a window near and cried :

" O thou brave knight, well as thou fightest
thou canst not hope to contend against so many.
But if thou canst win thy way to yonder postern,*
thou wilt there find thy horse fastened, and
thence thou mayest escape."

On hearing this, La Cote Male Taile gripped
his sword more firmly still and flung himself into
the press, striking such great blows around him
that the knights of the castle were forced to fall
back. And so he won his way to the little

* A small back door or gate.

54 Stories of King Arthur

postern, and leaping upon his horse rode away in
safety.

The damsel, who had meanwhile held on her
way with the discomfited Sir Mordred, quite
thought that her despised champion had been
killed. Her astonishment was therefore great
when, some time later, he came riding in hot
haste after them. To his story of the great fight
she turned an incredulous ear, averring that the
other knights had let him pass unharmed in sheer
contempt. But when a messenger whom she de-
spatched to the castle returned telling how La
Cote Male Taile had slain nearly a score of the
best knights, and how all had deemed him more
of a fiend than a man, the damsel hung down her
head for very shame, and no more words of
chiding passed her lips.

Now when Sir Lancelot of the Lake had come
to King Arthur's court and heard how La Cote
Male Taile had taken upon himself the adventure
of the Black Shield, he was wroth to think that
all the knights had allowed one so young to un-
dertake such a perilous mission. For he well knew
that the damsel had carried this shield about for a
long time, and that it had been fought for by the
most valorous knights of the kingdom. Fearing
that La Cote Male Taile would be unequal to the
task he set himself, Sir Lancelot rode out from
Camelot and went in search of him.

On the way he learned something of La Cote
Male Taile's adventures, and was glad to hear how
well the youth had borne himself; but his heart
sank when one day he heard that the young knight
and his companions had been taken prisoners at

Sir Breunor and the Black Shield 55

the castle of Pendragon. Spurring thither in haste,
Sir Lancelot challenged the knights of the castle to
combat, and as they hurled themselves against him
he overthrew them one after another. Having
thus become victorious, Sir Lancelot ordered that
all the prisoners in the castle should be set free,
and among them he found La Cote Male Taile
and the damsel.

Together they rode from Pendragon, Sir Lance-
lot agreeing to continue in their company on one
condition, that the damsel should no longer rebuke
La Cote Male Taile. " For," he said, " this youth is
one of the bravest knights I have known, and for
love of him I followed to succour him in this great
hour of need."

Then the damsel, turning to both Sir Lancelot
and La Cote Male Taile, said that she had really
never hated the young knight, but had treated him
so harshly and cruelly because she loved him, and
hoped that by this means she might dissuade him
from the quest, which she feared he would never
accomplish. At which La Cote Male Taile was
exceedingly glad, for he himself loved the damsel,
who was the fairest he had ever seen.

The end of La Cote Male Taile's mission was
now close at hand. Near the border of the country
of Surluse stood a great castle which was held by
three brothers, all of them tried knights, famous for
their prowess. It was with these that the bearer of
the black shield had to wage battle. So, riding
boldly up to the gates, La Cote Male Taile chal-
lenged the brothers to fight, and therewith began
a combat that extorted admiration from Sir Lance-
lot himself. For many hours did the young knight

56

Stories of King Arthur

fight on horse and foot, receiving many terrible
wounds, but not a whit abating the vigour of his
strokes. And when he had at length vanquished
his adversaries, the castle was delivered into his
hands and its prisoners set free.

Later on, when La Cote Male Taile had recovered
from his wounds, he, the damsel, and Sir Lancelot
set out to return to Camelot, where King Arthur
welcomed them with great rejoicing. And now
Sir Breunor, or La Cote Male Taile, as he still con-
tinued to be called, was given the lordship of great
lands by King Arthur, and in time he wedded the
damsel for whom he had achieved the adventure of
the Black Shield. And, as the chronicles record, he
met at last with that false knight who had slain
his father, and so avenged himself.

57

VII.— OF SIR GALAHAD AND THE QUEST FOR

THE HOLY GRAIL.

NOT very far from Camelot, where King Arthur
was wont to hold his court, stood a grand old
abbey. It was a noble-looking pile, with grey stone
towers overgrown with ivy and surrounded by
green meadows and well-wooded parkland. The
Lady Rowena, the abbess, was proud of her home,
as well she might be, and proud of its great fame ;
but her chief joy was in the young boy Galahad,
whom she and her nuns had brought up from child-
hood. They were sure in their own minds that no
other youth like him existed in the whole world, so
tall and well-made and handsome was he, and so
gentle and courteous was his manner.

When at last Galahad reached that age which is
on the borderland of manhood, the abbess knew
that she ought not to keep him with her any
longer. It was high time that he were made a
knight and sent forth into the world to play a
man's part. And, indeed, the youth was already
fretting under the restraint of his present life ; he
longed to try his wings in the great world outside
the abbey gates. So one day a messenger was
despatched to Sir Lancelot of the Lake, bidding him
come to the abbess without delay.

Sir Lancelot duly obeyed the summons, and on
arriving at the abbey found the Lady Rowena and
her nuns waiting to receive him, with Galahad in

58 Stories of King Arthur

their midst. When he set eyes on the latter, Sir
Lancelot thought he had never seen a fairer-
looking youth.

" Sir Lancelot," said the abbess, " this is the boy
of whom you have heard as our ward. We have
nourished him here since he was a babe, and our
chief joy has been in his up-bringing. Now it is
his wish to leave us, and as there is none more
worthy than you at Arthur's court, we have sent
for you to make him a knight."

This Sir Lancelot gladly promised to do, for he
foresaw that this same yovith, Galahad, was des-
tined for some great deed. So, on the next day, at
the Feast of Pentecost, he dubbed him knight.
But when he would have carried Galahad off with
him to Camelot, the youth refused, saying that he
would make his appearance there in good time.

Meanwhile, at Camelot, the King, the Queen,
and all the court were observing the festival with
due ceremony. After attending the service at the
minster, the King assembled his knights at the
famous Round Table, where all the sieges (or seats)
except one were now filled. The one yet empty was
that known as the Siege Perilous, wherein no one
had ever ventured to sit. According to tradition,
this seat was not to be filled until some four hun-
dred years had elapsed since the death of Christ,
and now the precise period assigned had come to
an end.

" This very day, then," said Sir Lancelot, " ought
this siege to be filled, so that we may expect to see
a marvellous adventure."

The King and his court were about to proceed
to dinner in the great hall when a squire came

Sir Galahad and the Holy Grail 59

hurrying in to tell of a wonderful thing that he
had just seen. In the river below the castle, he
said, was a great stone floating on top of the water,
and with a sword sticking in it. This was a marvel
in very truth, so King Arthur, followed by all
his knights, made his way clown to the river
side.

There, as the squire had told, they found the
stone floating on the water, with a long sword
wedged fast in it. The sword was of beautiful
workmanship, the pommel being richly chased and
set with precious stones. These were so arranged
as to form letters, and when they looked closely
at it they found that the inscription round the hilt
ran thus : " Never shall man take me hence but
only he by whose side I ought to hang, and he shall
be the best knight in the world."

On reading this, the King commanded the
worthiest of his knights to try and pull the sword
from its place, but, though many essayed, there was
not one who could move it.

Making their way back to the castle again,
they all went into the great hall, and Sir Kay,
the seneschal, now gave orders for dinner to be
served. Hardly, however, had the dishes been
laid upon the table when the hall suddenly be-
came dark. The company looked at each other
in amazement, wondering what was to follow.
Then the door opened and in came an old white-
bearded man, with a young knight at his side.
The latter, who was on foot, was dressed in red
armour, and in place of a sword he wore an
empty scabbard which dangled at his side as he
walked.

60 Stories of King Arthur

Approaching Arthur's seat, the newcomers
made a low obeisance, and then the old man
said :

"Sir King, I bring you here a young knight
who is of royal lineage, and through whom the
marvels of this court and of strange realms shall
be achieved."

Arthur welcomed the youth with well-chosen
words, after which the old man conducted his
companion to the Siege Perilous, and, lifting up
the cloth that covered it, showed him an in-
scription graven thereon in gold letters : " This is
the siege of Sir Galahad, the noble prince." Then,
taking his leave, the old man departed.

All the knights in the hall were amazed that
one so young should dare to seat himself in the
Siege Perilous, and, whispering among themselves,
they said: "This is surely he who will achieve
the finding of the Holy Grail."

Arthur himself was no little astonished, but
at the end of the repast he went to where Sir
Galahad was sitting, and there saw the young
knight's name written. By this he knew that
the quest for the Holy Grail, the sacred vessel
which contained some of the blood of our Lord,
was about to begin. Having made Galahad wel-
come again, the King took him by the hand and
led him from the palace in order to show him
the wonder of the floating stone.

Galahad now heard from the King how the
knights, one after the other, had tried in vain
to pull out the sword. " It is no wonder they
failed," he said, " for this adventure is not theirs
but mine. And because this sword was meant

61

" GALAHAD DREW OUT THE SWOKD EASILY " (p. 62).

62 Stories of King Arthur

for me did I bring none other with me, only
this empty sheath which you see."

Then, stretching forth his hand, Galahad drew
out the sword easily from the stone, and placed
it in the scabbard.

"Now have I," he said, "the good sword that
was once the sw^ord of Balin, the famous knight
who slew his brother Balan. And through this
did my grandfather, King Pelles, receive a griev-
ous wound, of which he shall not be whole until
I heal him."

While he was speaking, a damsel, seated on a
white palfrey, came riding towards them. Address-
ing Arthur, she said : " Sir King, Nacien, the
hermit, sendeth word that to thee shall befall the
greatest honour that ever befell king in Britain,
for this day shall the Holy Grail appear in thy
house, and it shall feed thee and all thy fellow-
ship of the Round Table."

Then, turning her palfrey, she rode back in the
direction whence she had come without further
utterance.

The King was not a little moved at her words,
for something told him that his company of
knights was soon to be broken up in the quest
for the Holy Grail, and that many of them he
should never see more. He resolved, therefore,
that a great tournament should be held in the
meadow of Camelot, wherein every knight should
show his prowess. The lists were accordingly at
once made ready, and all the fellowship of the
Round Table put on their armour and looked to
their shields and spears.

The great deeds that were done at this tourney

Sir Galahad and the Holy Grail 63

are all set down in the old chronicles : how Sir
Gawaine, Sir Bors, Sir Lancelot, and many another
famous knight broke lances together, and won
themselves much glory. Furthermore, of Sir
Galahad it is recorded that he overthrew every-
one of his adversaries with the exception of two,
Sir Lancelot of the Lake and Sir Percival. And
at this jousting it was made known that Sir
Galahad was the son of Sir Lancelot.

When the tournament was over the whole
company wended their way back to the castle to
evensong, and afterwards to supper. And now
befell the great wonder that the hermit had fore-
told. For while the King and his knights sat at
table it grew dark, and there was heard a great
noise of thunder. Then suddenly a sunbeam of
dazzling brightness flashed into the hall. Not a
knight moved in his place or spoke a word, so full
of awe were they all at what they witnessed.

Then gliding down, the sunbeam there came
the Holy Grail itself, covered over with white
samite,* that none might see it. And at the same
time, so the chronicle runs, "was the hall filled
with good odours, and every knight had such
meats and drinks as he best loved in this world :
and when the Holy Grail had been borne through
the hall, then the holy vessel departed suddenly,
that they wist not where it became."

" Now, in sooth," said King Arthur, " ought we
to thank our Lord for having showed us such
reverence at this high Feast of Pentecost."

" Give thanks, indeed," said Sir Gawaine, rising
from his seat, "but one thing remains, that we
* A rich silk stuff, interwoven with gold or embroidered.

Stories of King Arthur

did not see the holy vessel, which was so pre-
ciously covered. Therefore I do here make a vow
that from to-morrow morn I will labour in the
quest of the Holy Grail, that I will seek it for a
year and a day, or more, if need be, and never
will I return to this court until I have beheld it
more openly than it hath been seen here."

On hearing Sir Grawaine's vow, nearly all the
rest of the Round Table knights rose in their
places one after the other and made the same vow.
And Arthur's heart sank within him, for now he
knew for certain that his goodly fellowship of
knights was broken up for ever. For of all
those who were to set out 011 this quest, who but
one or two were worthy enough to achieve it?
The Queen and her ladies, too, made great ado, as
the knights would have to ride forth alone and
unattended, and the parting was like to be a
long one.

The next day the company of knights who
had taken the vow — a hundred and fifty in all —
heard service at the minster, after which they rode
forth together from the castle and through the
streets of Camelot. Sir Galahad rode by the side
of Sir Lancelot, his father, until the time came
when they should separate, and his heart beat high
with hope, for he felt that he was the one chosen
to achieve the quest. Of his many adventures on
the way, and of how he did indeed see the Holy
Grail, we shall read in our next chapter.

65

VIII.— OF SIR GALAHAD AND HOW HE

ACHIEVED THE QUEST OF THE

HOLY GRAIL.

Now after Sir Galahad had parted from Sir
Lancelot and the other knights who had set out
with him on his quest, he rode several days by
himself without meeting with any adventure. He
was armed, as we have read, with the sword that
had once belonged to Balin, but as yet he had no
shield. It was not to be long, however, ere he
obtained the latter.

One night, arriving at an abbey, he found
himself in the company of two other knights of
Arthur's court, King Bagdemagus and Sir Uwaine.
From them he learnt that within the abbey was
a famous shield of great sanctity, which was said
to bring death or terrible disaster to all who
were bold enough to wear it, save only to him
for whom it was intended.

" And to-morrow," said King Bagdemagus, " I
shall try to bear it hence, for it is a strange adven-
ture, and for this very same purpose have Sir
Uwaine and I journeyed hither."

"Well," said Galahad, "I wish you God-speed,
but if it be that ye may not wear this shield,
then will I take the adventure upon myself, for I
am shieldless, as ye see."

The next day King Bagdemagus made inquiry
of the abbot, and was taken to where the shield
E

66

Stories of King Arthur

hung behind the altar. It was all white except
for a large red cross in the centre.

"Sirs," said the old monk who had led the
three knights into a chapel, " ye would be well
advised to let this be, for this shield should not
be borne by anyone save only he who is the
worthiest knight in the world. To all others but
him it shall bring dire evil ! "

Nothing daunted by these words, King Bagde-
niagus hung the shield on his arm and sallied
forth from the abbey, attended by his squire.
Galahad and Sir Uwaine remained behind to
await his return, or to learn news of how he
fared.

King Bagdemagus had not gone far afield
before he was challenged by another knight, who
bore him down and took the shield from him.

" Sir knight," he said, " you were very foolish to
take this adventure upon yourself, for this shield
you bear may not be borne except by him who
hath no peer in the world." Then, turning to the
squire, he added, " Carry this shield to Sir
Galahad quickly, for it is he for whom it is
destined."

In due course the squire returned to the
abbey, having left his master to be attended to
at a neighbouring monastery. Galahad took the
white shield from him and hung it round his
neck. Then, mounting his horse, he bade the
squire follow and rode off. At the request of the
squire, who was named Melias, Sir Galahad made
him a knight, promising that he also should ride
in the quest for the Holy Grail.

The two held on their way for a week or so

Sir Galahad achieves his Quest 67

»

before any adventures crossed their path. Then
one morning they came to a road which branched
off in two directions. At the junction of the
ways stood a cross, whereon was written this
warning : " All ye knights errant who go to seek
adventures, see here these two ways. By the one
to the right ye shall not travel, for only he that
is a good man and worthy knight may go
thither ; nor by the other may ye hope to win
fame lightly, for ye shall speedily be put to
trial."

Sir Melias was hot for an adventure, and on
reading the inscription he begged Sir Galahad to
let him take the left-hand road that he might
have opportunity to prove himself. Galahad
reluctantly let him go, and they parted company.

Unfortunately for Sir Melias he fell at the
first trial, for meeting a knight who disputed his
passage he was overthrown and sore hurt. As
he lay in this sad plight, Sir Galahad by good
fortune came that way and found him. Sir Melias
was then borne to an abbey close by, where he
lay for many weeks nigh unto death. In the
meantime Galahad continued his journey, for the
quest in which he was engaged was ever upper-
most in his mind.

It was Galahad's custom to pray to God every
day for counsel and guidance in his great under-
taking. Not long after he had left his companion
he turned aside at a wayside chapel to perform
his devotions, and while he was kneeling before
the altar he suddenly heard a voice that said :

"Rise, Sir Galahad, and go now to the Castle
of Maidens which is near at hand, and there do

68 Stories of King Arthur

away with the wicked custom that you will
find."

The young knight was overjoyed on hearing
this summons, for here was an adventure to his
taste. Mounting once more, he rode down the
hill asking his way from all he met.

The castle was well known, for its ill-repute
had spread far and wide, and many of those he
encountered sought to deter him from journeying
thither. But Galahad laughed, and, looking to his
arms, spurred his horse boldly to the castle
gates. Scarcely had he reined up when seven
knights, all brethren, dashed out to meet him.

" Now guard thee, knight," they cried, " for we
promise thee naught but death."

" Why, then," returned Galahad, " will ye all
set upon me at once?"

"Even so," cried the others, and couching
their spears* they charged down upon him.

Then Galahad spurred forward to meet them,
and with a mighty thrust of his own lance he
sent the foremost of the seven brethren head-
long to the ground. The other six fell upon him
with their swords and spears, but receiving their
blows on his shield the young knight escaped
scatheless. Casting aside his lance, Galahad now
drew forth his great sword and dashed fiercely at
his adversaries.

So quick and strong were his strokes that the
knights were forced to give way before him. At
last they one and all turned tail and fled, Galahad
pursuing them for some distance. At the entrance
to the castle an old monk awaited him with the
* Setting their spears in position for attack.

G9

" THE YOUNG KNIGHT ... AT ONCE 01'ENED THE GATLb" (p. 72),

70 Stories of King Arthur

keys in his hands. The young knight took these
and at once opened the gates, to the great joy of
all those within, who had been held captive by
the seven brethren.

Galahad now learned how the castle had come
to gain its evil name. It had formerly belonged
to Duke Lianour, the lord of the surrounding
country, but the seven brethren had overcome him
by treachery and killed him, making his beautiful
daughter a prisoner. The maiden had thereupon
prophesied that for their wickedness they should
not hold the castle many years, for by one knight
alone should they all be discomfited. The brethren
then vowed that 110 lady or knight should pass
by the castle alive until that knight of whom
she spake appeared. And thus the castle had
come by its name, for a great number of maidens
had fallen into their hands.

With many other adventures did Galahad
meet, and in all of them he bore himself as
became a brave and valiant knight. Once he
encountered his father, Sir Lancelot, and Sir
Percival, but they knew him not, for he was in
different armour, and they had never seen the
shield with the red cross before. And so great
was his prowess that even the skilled Sir Lancelot,
the victor of a hundred tourneys, went down
before him, while Sir Percival received so mighty
a stroke that his head was near to being cleft in
twain.

Besides adventures such as these, the young
knight was assailed from time to time with
divers temptations, but through all he passed
unharmed, his soul as pure as when he left the

Sir Galahad achieves his Quest 71

good Abbess Rowena's care to enter into tho
great world of men.

Sir Lancelot, Sir Percival, Sir Gawaine, and
the rest of the company of Round Table knights
who had set out on the search for the Holy
Grail, fared equally ill in their enterprise. There
was not one who was worthy to achieve the
quest ; not one but who was stained with sin and
unfit to see the sacred vessel.

Sir Lancelot, indeed, came nearest to finding
the Holy Grail, for he eventually found himself
outside the room wherein it was kept. A voice
forbade him to enter, but Lancelot determined to
venture in, for which he was stricken down. And
for many days and nights he lay as one dead,
after which, having recovered his strength, he
returned home.

Now, as Galahad was nearing the end of his
quest, he fell into the hands of a pagan king;
who thrust him and his companions into prison.
While they were in this sad case the Holy Grail
appeared and fed them, else had they all starved
to death. At the end of a year it fell out that
the king who had imprisoned them was afflicted
with a grave illness and lay upon his deathbed.
Remembering the knights whom he had made
captive, he sent for them and begged their for-
giveness. Almost immediately after he died,
whereupon the city was in great dismay, for he
had left no successor.

While the counsellors and others were dis-
cussing the question of who should be the next
king, a voice was heard bidding them choose the
youngest knight of the three strangers in their

72 Stories of King Arthur

midst, for ho was best fitted to rule over them.
Accordingly Sir Galahad was elected king, and
for a time he abode in that country.

Then one day, about a year after he had
commenced his reign, a holy man appeared to the
young king and called to him, saying :

" Come forth, Galahad, thou servant of Christ,
for now shalt thou see that which thou hast so
long desired. Lo, I am Joseph of Arimathea, and
I am come to show you the perfect Vision of the
Holy Grail." <

Then Sir Galahad with his companions saw
for a brief moment the holy vessel in a glorious
radiance of light, and received the sacrament.
After this he bade farewell to Sir Percival and
Sir Bors, and suddenly, as he knelt at prayer
before the altar, his soul was lifted up to heaven,
and a great multitude of angels appeared. At
the same instant a hand reached down and,
laying hold of the sacred vessel, bore it away.
Joseph of Arimathea, too, had disappeared, and
there were none left but Sir Percival and Sir
Bors to marvel at the vision. Sir Galahad still
knelt at the altar in the attitude of prayer, but
when they went to him they found that he was
dead. And since then, as the old chronicle con-
cludes, " there was never man so hardy as to
say that he had seen the Holy Grail."

73

IX.— OF THE JEST OF SIR DAGONET.

IN a former chapter I told of how Sir Tristram
of Lyoiiesse went to Ireland and fell in love with
La Belle Ysolde. On his return home to Cornwall,
lie told his uncle, King Mark, of this beautiful
Irish princess ; whereupon the king resolved to
wed her. So off went Tristram again to Ireland
to demand La Belle Ysolde's hand for his uncle,
and, after many adventures, he brought her safely
back with him.

Now, although King Mark had gained his
desire through Tristram's prowess, he bore the
youth no goodwill. He was jealous of his
nephew's fame, which was ever growing greater,
and at last he drove him out of Cornwall. La
Belle Ysolcle, too, was at little pains to disguise
her affection for the gallant young knight, and
what with one thing and another, King Mark
eventually thought it best to have Sir Tristram
slain. Accordingly, with two knights of his court
and two squires, he set out for that part of
England where Tristram then was.

While on the road King Mark heard further
news of his nephew, which made him more jealous
and more angry still. He learned that Tristram
had done such doughty deeds as caused him to be
regarded as a knight second only to Sir Lancelot
in fame, that he was then at Arthur's court at
Camelot, and that the king held him in the
highest criteeiii.

74 Stories of King Arthur

When this was told to King Mark, he took
his two followers aside and bade them swear
that they would help him to kill Tristram. This,
however, they stoutly refused to do, and in his
anger the king suddenly drew his sword and slew
one of them on the spot. He would have killed
the other knight as well, had not the squires
come to the rescue and held him at bay. This
knight, Sir Amant, now left the king's company,
for he would not be concerned in such a shame-
ful quest, and King Mark was left to continue
his journey alone.

As he rode along the way to Camelot, devising
by what means he could compass Tristram's
death, the wicked king fell in with two noble
knights, Sir Lamorak de Galis and Sir Dinadan.
Both these knights knew him to be from Corn-
Avail, though they were unaware of his real name,
and they did not fail to rebuke him for being, as
they supposed, in King Mark's service.

" All the world," said Sir Lamorak, " knows
that King Mark is as false and cowardly a knight
as ever lived, and it is a thousand pities that he
should be wedded to so fair a lady as La Belle
Ysolde."

"'Tis so, in truth," added Sir Dinadan, "and it
were shame for any knight of Arthur's court to
be seen in company of so villainous a king ! "

Finding himself held in such contempt, King
Mark was in no hurry to reveal his identity, but
it was not long before he was recognised.

As the three journeyed 011 together, they
came to a castle, the lord of which was Sir
Tor. This Sir Tor, as you may remember, was

Of the Jest of Sir Dagonet

75

King Pellinore's son, whom Arthur had knighted.
When they rode into the courtyard, Sir Tor
and his knights welcomed them gladly, but
as soon as the lieutenant of the castle, Sir
Berluse by name, saw the king, he said to
him :

"I know you, King Mark, for all that you
are riding in the company of these good knights,
and with a strange shield. You are he that slew
my father traitorously, and you would have killed
me, too, had I not by good hap escaped. You
are a wicked knight, and a murderer to boot. In
this castle, as Sir Tor's guest, you shall be safe,
but when you leave us, look to it that I do not
slay you in turn ! "

Sir Lamorak and Sir Dinadan were now
greatly disconcerted to hear who their companion
was, but inasmuch as they had promised to con-
duct the king to Arthur's court they would not
desert him.

In the morning, Sir Dinadan and King Mark
rode off together, and they had not gone many
miles ere Sir Berluse with two other knights
came riding towards them. Sir Berluse was bent
on revenging himself, but with Sir Dinadan's
help King Mark kept him off. Not very long
afterwards, Sir Dinadan encountered the great
Sir Tor himself, and was unhorsed, upon which
the Cornish king began to mock him.

"I thought all you knights of Arthur's court
could never find your match," he said laughingly,
" and yet here you are overthrown at the first
encounter with this knight ! "

To his taunts Sir Dinadan made little reply,

76 Stories of King Arthur

for he despised King Mark too much to wish to
hold converse with him. He would be glad, he
thought, for any chance that would rid him of
the other's company ; and the next day, as it hap-
pened, his desire was gratified. For, while they
rode on together, Sir Dinadan spied a party of
six knights coming across the plain, and by their
shields he knew them to belong to the Round
Table fellowship. So he called to King Mark
to follow him and joust with these knights. But
the king held back.

" They are six," he exclaimed, " while we are
but two ; heaven forbid that we should encounter
them ! "

" Be they as many as twelve," replied Sir
Dinadan, " it behoves us to meet them." And
spurring on his horse, he rode towards them.

But as fast as he galloped one way, King
Mark galloped the other, turning tail like the
coward he was. And he was in such a haste to
get away that he did not see how Sir Dinadan
took his spear out of the rest, flung his shield
over his shoulder, and was welcomed by the
six knights as a friend.

When at nightfall Sir Dinadan and the other
Round Table knights made their way to a castle
near at hand to find lodging, the former was sur-
prised to discover that King Mark had preceded
him thither. To frighten the cowardly king, Sir
Dinadan now told him that his new-found com-
panions were knights of Arthur's court, and that
their leader was none other than the famous Sir
Lancelot of the Lake. This was not the truth, as a
matter of fact, for Sir Lancelot was at the time

Of the Jest of Sir Dagonet 77

away on another quest, but Sir Dinadan had it
in his mind to play a joke upon the other.

" You will know Sir Lancelot by the shield he
carries," he said ; " it is of silver with black bars."

Now, in the company of the Round Table
knights was King Arthur's fool, Sir Dagonet,
and it was Sir Dhiadan's idea to get the jester to
personate Sir Lancelot, and challenge King Mark
to a jousting. As it was Sir Mordred's shield
which was of silver and bore black bars, this was
given to Sir Dagonet, together with the rest of
the knight's harness, and in the morning he was
armed and mounted 011 a big charger.

The jester entered into the joke with great
zest, vowing that he would strike terror into
the heart of King Mark as surely as if he were
really Sir Lancelot. There was a wood near by,
and here the party hid themselves while Sir
Dagonet on his horse pranced about the roadway,
waiting until King Mark should come in sight.

When at length the king did appear, Sir
Dagonet drove his spurs into the great horse,
waved his spear on high, and, crying out to the
king to mind himself, bore down upon him like
a whirlwind. But as soon as King Mark saw the
silver shield, he said :

" 'Tis Sir Lancelot who challenges me, for a
certainty ; now indeed am I undone ! I were as
good as dead did I break spears with him ! "

And once more showing the wrhite feather, he
turned his horse and made off as speedily as he
could.

This was no more than the others had ex-
pected. With much laughter they now sprang

78 Stories of King Arthur

on to their horses, and followed after Sir
Dagonet, who was chasing King Mark with loud
cries. The latter sought refuge in a forest, in
which he hoped to shake off pursuit, but the fool
kept close to his heels.

As chance would have it, a strange knight
who met King Mark flying, befriended him, and
himself awaited Dagonet's onslaught. The result
was that the unlucky jester was overthrown, and
things might have gone hard with him had not
his friends come up soon afterwards. With their
arrival on the scene the secret was out, and, as
you may suppose, King Mark was heartily
ashamed to find how he had been played with.

Later on, as the chronicle faithfully recounts,
King Mark did meet Sir Lancelot, but at the very
mention of the latter's name he threw himself on
the ground, whining for mercy and refusing to
fight. Then Sir Lancelot took him back to
Arthur's court at Camelot, where his numerous
misdeeds were told to the king. And in due
course punishment was meted out to him; but
all that is another story in itself.

79

X.— OF THE QUEEN'S MAYING, AND HOW
SIR LANCELOT RODE IN A CART.

EARLY one morning in May, Queen Guinevere
called her knights round her and bade them be
ready to go a-maying with her and her ladies in
the woods and meadows near Westminster. As a
rule, when she rode abroad, the Queen was always
attended by a large retinue, among whom were
a number of untried youths who were known, as
the Queen's knights. These had not yet taken part
in any tournament or battle, and they carried plain
white shields to distinguish them from the other
knights of Arthur's court. When, at the end of a
year, any knights of the Order of the Round Table
had died, their places were filled by the worthiest
among the Queen's knights. And in this way had
Sir Lancelot and many others won their spurs.

On this occasion Queen Guinevere would only
take ten of her knights with her, these including
Sir Kay, Sir Agravaine, Sir Persant, and Sir Pelleas.
They were all clad in green, like foresters, and they
rode forth merry and light-hearted into the fields,
with never a thought of treachery in the air. But
a wicked knight named Sir Meliagrance, whose
castle was near by, saw them as they went a-maying,
and because he loved Queen Guinevere he made a
plan to capture her. Accordingly, with a company

so Stories of King Arthur

of men-at-arms and archers, he lay in wait for
them in the wood.

The Queen and her gay party, all decked with
wreaths of flowers and ferns, and making the air
ring with their laughter, presently came riding by.
Then out sprang Sir Meliagrance and his followers,
barring the way.

"What meaneth this?" cried Queen Guinevere
in surprise, while her knights closed up behind
her.

" It meaneth that thou must yield thyself
prisoner to me," answered Meliagrance. " All these
years have I loved thee in vain, and now chance
has thrown thee into my power. Thou canst not
hope to escape."

" Traitor knight," said Queen Guinevere, " wilt
thou bring shame upon thyself and me? Re-
member how thou art a king's son and a knight of
the Round Table ; wherefore let me return in
safety."

But nothing she could say would move
Meliagrance from his purpose. " Ye must yield
yourselves," he repeated, " for I mean to carry you
all off to my castle."

The ten Queen's knights, who were unarmed
save for their swords, now ranged themselves in
front of their royal mistress, but they were
powerless to withstand the onslaught of
Meliagrance and his knights. After a desperate
struggle, in which they acquitted themselves
manfully, all but four were smitten to the ground.
Seeing her brave defenders in such bad case, Queen
Guinevere begged Sir Meliagrance to cease the
combat, declaring that she would accompany him

Of the Queen's Maying si

to his castle on condition that the four knights left
to her also went thither.

To this Meliagrance assented, so after the
wounded men had had their hurts seen to, the
whole party set off.

Sir Meliagrance, who was sore afraid lest news
of his ill-doing should reach Arthur's court, forbade
any of the Queen's company to leave her, and kept
a close watch upon them. Guinevere, however,
determined to outwit him. In a little time, she
managed to give a message to one of her young
squires, and ordered him to seize his opportunity
and ride fast to Westminster, where he would find
Sir Lancelot of the Lake.

" Give him this ring I give thee," she said, " and
pray him, as he loveth me, to come to my rescue.
Ride hard and spare not thy horse, neither for
water nor for land."

The squire soon after saw a chance to escape,
and, putting spurs to his horse, dashed off. Sir
Meliagrance's horsemen endeavoured to recapture
him, and his archers sent arrow after arrow in the
direction of the flying messenger, but he quickly
outdistanced them. Seeing this, the wicked knight
made all haste to reach his castle, for he knew well
enough that Sir Lancelot would not be long in
answering the Queen's message. On the way, he
laid an ambush for Sir Lancelot, hiding some thirty
or more of his most skilled archers in the wood,
and giving them instructions to look out for a
knight on a white horse and stay him at all
costs.

When the young squire arrived almost breath-
less at Sir Lancelot's lodging in Westminster and

82 Stories of King Arthur

delivered his message, you can imagine with what
wrath the knight listened to his tale.

" Bring me my armour," he thundered, " and see
that my horse be made ready instantly. O that
I had been there, well armed, to save the Queen
from this villainous traitor ! But though he hath
a thousand knights around him he shall not
hold the Queen prisoner while I am a living
man ! "

Then, leaving the squire behind with a message
for one Sir Lavaine, who was to follow after him,
Sir Lancelot rode off post-haste for Sir
Meliagrance's castle. He clattered down the main
street, made his horse swim across the river, and
followed the same path that Queen Guinevere had
taken when she started out that morning to go
a-maying. The birds sang in the trees just as
merrily, and the flowers bloomed as brightly on the
green hedgerows and banks, but Sir Lancelot
heeded them not. He only thought of the Queen
captive in the gloomy castle in the wood, with only
a few of her attendants to serve her, and his brow
darkened as he gripped his sword more firmly.

In due time the knight came to the spot where
Sir Meliagrance had placed his men in ambush.
At the sight of the body of archers who con-
fronted him with drawn bows he reined up his
steed.

"I command ye to let me pass," cried Sir
Lancelot angrily. " By what right do ye bid me,
who am a knight of the Round Table, to leave
my way?"

To this the archers answered nothing, save
that he must turn back, or else go on foot, for

Of the Queen's Maying 83

they had been ordered, if he opposed them, to
kill his horse.

" Be that as it may," said Sir Lancelot ; " it-
will serve ye little good. Ye may slay my horse,
but as for myself, I care not for you were you
five hundred instead of thirty. Out of my way, I
tell you, or stay me at your peril ! "

The brave knight spurred his horse towards
them, but in a few moments the animal fell
wounded under the shower of arrows, and Sir
Lancelot was unhorsed. Sword in, hand, he now
endeavoured to get at his enemies, but by leaping
over the hedges and ditches where he could not
follow, burdened as he was with armour, they
easily avoided him. Finding himself so much at
a disadvantage, he continued his way on foot,
more determined than ever that Sir Meliagrance
should pay dearly for his treachery.

While making his way through the wood, Sir
Lancelot suddenly came upon a woodcutter's cart
with two men.

" Here is good fortune ! ' he exclaimed,
addressing one of them. "Fellow, what wilt
thou take to carry me to yonder castle on the
hill ? "

" I will take nothing," answered the wood-
cutter surlily ; " nor will I carry thee anywhere.
I am here to fetch wood for my lord Sir
Meliagrance, and I will serve none other."

" But it is with him that I wish to speak,"
said Sir Lancelot.

" That is no matter," returned the man, as
surly as before ; " thou dost not ride with me,
and there's an end on't."

84 Stories of King Arthur

" Very well, then," said the knight, " take that
for thy churlishness." And he gave him such a
blow that the man fell to the ground dead.
"Now, you," he continued, addressing the other
woodman, " jump into this cart at once, and
drive me at thy best speed to thy master's gate,
or it shall go as hard with thee as with thy
fellow ! "

The other woodcutter was for running away,
but Sir Lancelot caught him by the arm, and in
fear and trembling the man climbed up and took
the reins. Then, having whipped up his horse to
a gallop, he and the knight lumbered off along
the forest track.

About half an hour afterwards, while Queen
Guinevere and her ladies were anxiously looking
out from a window in the castle, in the hope of
seeing Sir Lancelot riding towards them, they
suddenly saw a strange sight. A rough wood-
cutter's cart was rattling over the road in the
valley beneath them, and in it was a tall knight,
fully armed.

"See, madam," said one of the ladies, "there is
a sad sight ! Surely it is some knight who hath
done evil and is now riding to his hanging."

"Even so it seems," answered the Queen, but
when the cart came nearer and she looked again,
she recognised by his shield that it was Sir
Lancelot.

" Ah, ' well is he that hath a trusty friend,' "
she said to herself. "I knew thou wouldst not
fail me, my Lancelot. Now have I no fear for
what Sir Meliagrance may purpose doing."

As soon as the cart had reached the castle gates,

Of the Queen's Maying 85

Sir Lancelot sprang down and forced his way in
past the porter.

" Now, come forth, thou traitorous knight,"
he cried, as he stood in the courtyard. " Come
forth, thou and all thy fellowship ; for here stand I,
Sir Lancelot of the Lake, to fight with thee ! "

Sir Meliagrance, hearing this summons, ran
in great fear to the chamber where Queen
Guinevere was seated, and falling on his knees
before her, begged forgiveness for the wrong he
had done.

" I throw myself on thy grace," he cried ; " pray
intercede with Sir Lancelot for me, and to-morrow
thou and all thy company shall return safely with
him to Westminster. I am indeed woeful that I
should have done this thing."

"Thou little deservest mercy," answered the
Queen, " but I will speak for thee. Better is peace
than ever war, and the less my name is noised
about the better is it for my honour."

So saying, she went down into the courtyard,
where Sir Lancelot was still raging up and down,
calling upon the traitor knight to come forth. He
was resolved to kill Sir Meliagrance, but at the
Queen's earnest entreaties he went within peace-
ably, and laid his arms aside. And so, in due
course, Queen Guinevere and her knights and
ladies returned to King Arthur's court, well
satisfied at this happy ending to their adventure.

As for Sir Meliagrance, that wicked knight,
for all his seeming repentance, was still
treacherously minded. Although he had agreed
to meet Sir Lancelot some days later, and fight
with him, he laid a trap for the Queen's champion

86 Stories of King Arthur

while they were in the castle, and thrust him into a
deep dungeon. By great good fortune Sir Lancelot
escaped just in time to appear on the field of battle,
and here, before the King and Queen, he slew Sir
Meliagrance.

87

XI.— OF THE SWORD EXCALIBUR, AND THE

PASSING OF ARTHUR.

T

KING ARTHUR'S sword, as I have already told you,
was called Excalibur, which means " Cut steel." It
was a very fine weapon, and possessed such magic
properties that its owner bore a charmed life
wherever he carried it. The way that it came into
Arthur's hands was as follows.

Not long after the King had come to the throne,
while he was riding abroad like any young knight
of his court in search of adventure, he fell under
the spell of a sorceress. Although she kept him
prisoner in her castle, however, she could not make
him break his knightly vows and, finding her spells
were of no avail against him, she let him go free.
On leaving her castle, Arthur, by the sorceress's
enchantment, though he knew it not, followed
a path which led him to a certain fountain. Here
abode a knight named Sir Pellinore, who had
not his equal for strength and skill at that time.

It was Sir Pellinore's custom to make any
knight who passed that way joust with him.
Seeing Arthur approach, he bade him prepare
to fight. The young King was unarmed, save
for his sword, but Sir Pellinore gave him a spear,
and they made ready for the encounter.

After they had fought for some time 011 foot,
the King having been unhorsed at the first shock,
Pellinore gained the advantage. Arthur's sword

Stories of King Arthur

broke off at the hilt, and in the hand to hand
struggle which followed he was overcome and lay
at the other's mercy. Seeing the King's danger,
Merlin, who was ever at hand to watch over him,
by his magic caused a deep sleep to come upon
Pellinore, so that he fell to the ground as if
dead.

Arthur's wounds required to be attended to, and
he would have returned to the court at once as
Merlin desired, but he was reluctant to go back
weaponless.

"That is easily remedied," said the wizard.
" Come with me and I will take thee to where thou
shalt find a sword, the most wonderful one in the
world."

The young King followed Merlin through the
forest until they came in sight of a mere. As his
eye fell upon the water, Arthur saw an arm, clothed
in white samite,* stretched above the surface of the
lake, holding in its hand a gleaming sword.

"Lo," said Merlin to the wondering King,
"yonder is the sword of which I spake." Then, as
a small skiff with a damsel in it shot out from the
reedy bank, he added : " That is the Lady of the
Lake thou seest. Beneath this mere she hath
a palace hidden in a great rock, and as she hath
magic power she hath wrought this sword for thee.
Speak well to her, sir king, for thou mayest have
need of her in time to come."

When the Lady of the Lake came to the water's
edge where they were standing, Arthur begged her
to give him the sword, and this she promised to do
if he would in return grant her a gift when she

* See footnote on page 63.

Of the Passing of Arthur so

should ask for one. The King readily agreed to
this condition, and rowing out immediately to
where the arm was uplifted above the water he
took the sword, after which the arm disappeared
below the surface.

On drawing the sword from its beautiful
scabbard Arthur found some mystical writing on
both sides of it, which Merlin interpreted for
him.

" On one side," said the old wizard, " it readeth :
1 Keep me,' and on the other : ' Throw me away.'
The time is not yet come when thou must obey
this second behest, therefore wear it by thy side, O
king. This is the good brand Excalibur, or ' Cut
steel,' the best sword that man ever had."

Further, Merlin told him how as long as he wore
the scabbard he would never be in danger of death,
and he warned him not to let it pass out of his
possession. Arthur faithfully followed these
instructions, and it was only through the treachery
of a queen named Morgan le Fay, who stole the
sword and scabbard from him, that he was ever
in peril for his life.

All through the many wars that King Arthur
waged, both in Britain and in foreign countries,
did he carry his good sword Excalibur, and by its
aid he achieved great deeds of valour. His chief
aim was to put himself on the side of the oppressed,
to redress any wrongs that remained unrighted;
and to this end, as we know, he formed the
company of knights known as the Round Table.
Each of these was bound to his service by a vow of
chivalry, that called on him to succour anyone who
was in distress. All the knights of the Round

oo Stories of King Arthur

Table were not so noble and pure in heart as the
King, but most of them tried to live up to the high
ideal he set them and prove themselves true
followers of Christ.

After King Arthur had reigned wisely over his
people for many years, and had restored peace to
the troubled land, a rebellion broke out which
threatened to undo all his good work. While he
had gone for a time to France to fight against Sir
Lancelot with whom he had quarrelled, the King
had left his nephew, Sir Mordred, in charge of the
kingdom. This Mordred was a traitor, and in
Arthur's absence he plotted to seize the crown
for himself. The King heard of this in due course,
and returning from France he assembled a large
army to meet that of Mordred, and drive out the
usurper.

For a time King Arthur carried everything
before him, defeating Mordred, and winning back
to his side many great lords who had deserted him.
At length, however, Mordred withdrew into the
west country, where he strengthened his forces by
calling to his aid some of the heathen hosts whom
Arthur had been at such pains to drive from the
land. In the Welsh mountains he felt more secure,
and it was here that the last great stand was
made.

All day long the battle raged, Arthur and his
knights bearing themselves bravely wherever the
fight was thickest. As his enemies weakened and
fell before him, the King sought to find Mordred
himself and bring the traitor to his doom. He
was now guarded by only two of his valiant
knights, Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere ; all the

Of the Passing of Arthur 91

rest had perished in the fight. Bearing down at
last upon his treacherous nephew, Arthur struck
him down with his spear, but Mordred, knowing
that he had received his death-wound, made a
last desperate effort and, reaching the King,
dealt him a fatal blow upon the head.

King Arthur sank to the ground in a swoon
at the same moment that Mordred fell back dead.
Then Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere carried the
wounded King tenderly to a little chapel by the
sea-shore, where no sooner had they arrived than
Sir Lucan, who had been sorely hurt in the
battle, also died. This left Sir Bedivere the sole
guardian of the King.

When Arthur awoke from his swoon and saw
that he was alone, save for the one knight left
to him, he knew that the end of all was at hand.
The great company of the Round Table which he
had formed was broken up, and thenceforth there
would be no knights to carry out his laws and
maintain the wise and peaceful government he
had instituted. Very sorrowfully the King looked
upon his sword, for the time had now come
when he must part with it.

After he had spoken to Sir Bedivere of the
days of trouble which were to follow upon his
death, Arthur bade him take up Excalibur and
carry it to the mere close by whence the sword
had first come. There he was to cast it into
the water and tell the King of what happened.
Bedivere, promising to obey the command,
accordingly departed ; but on the way he was
loth to part with such a splendid sword, all
jewelled as it was in the hilt, and hiding the

92 Stories of King Arthur

weapon by the edge of the lake he hastened
back to the dying King.

Lord Tennyson, who has written a beautiful
poem on this subject, tells how when Arthur
questioned Sir Bedivere as to the result of his
errand the knight answered only:

" I heard the ripple washing in the reeds,
And the wild water lapping on the crag."

The King was angry at these words, for he
knew that Bedivere had played him false. "Go
again," he commanded, " and cast the sword
into the mere as I bade thee. Then watch, and
bring me word of what thou seest."

Sir Bedivere went a second time to the lake's
edge, but once more his heart failed him; he
could not bring himself to throw away the
sword. Hiding Excalibur again he strode back
to the King with the same answer that he had
given before.

Then was Arthur still more wroth. " O miser-
able, untrue knight!" he exclaimed. "That thou,
the last of my company, shouldst have twice
betrayed me ! Thou hast been dazzled by the
splendour of the gems ; yet once more will I
try thee. Go, therefore, a third time to the
mere, and if thou failest me now, I will arise
and slay thee with mine own hands ! "

Quickly leaving the dying King, Sir Bedivere
hastened to the spot where Excalibur lay con-
cealed among the reeds and rushes, and, closing
his eyes that he might not yield to temptation
again, he swung the sword round his head and

Of the Passing of Arthur 93

flung it far from him into the lake. Then,
as he watched, he saw a wonderful sight. As
the sword touched the water an arm, clothed in
white samite, suddenly rose from the surface,
clutched it by the hilt, and having brandished
it three times vanished with it beneath.

This marvellous event Sir Bedivere told the
King on his return, and Arthur knew that the
knight had fulfilled his promise.

" My end draws near," now said the King ;
"I pray thee bear me to the water's edge. I
am fain to be gone, for my wound hath taken
cold, and I am like to die."

Sir Bedivere supported him to the sea-shore,
where there suddenly appeared a great barge in
which stood three queens, robed in black and
wearing gold crowns upon their heads. These
queens received Arthur into the barge with tears
and lamentations, after which it moved slowly
away from land.

Left alone on the brink Sir Bedivere cried out
to the King not to go without taking him, for he
cared not to go back into the world companion-
less among strange faces. But Arthur answered
that it could not be, and bade him devote the
rest of his life to prayer. For himself, he said,
he was going to the island valley of Avilion,
there to be healed of his grievous wound.

In a little while the barge, moved by oar and
sail, floated away out of Sir Bedivere's sight, and
the knight turned sadly from the shore. Obeying
Arthur's wish he soon after entered a hermitage,
where he remained engaged in holy exercises until
his death. Sir Lancelot, also, like many another

94: Stories of King Arthur

good knight, in due time relinquished his sword
for the monk's cell, and spent the rest of his days
as a true servant of God.

As for King Arthur, he died, and was buried in
the West country. Many of the people, however,
refused to believe this, and there is a legend that
he did not die of his wound, but that he still
lives in the beautiful valley of Avilion, ready to
come forth to his country's aid should she ever
need him.

THE END

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